BREAKING-NEWS: Yankees’ Disastrous Paul Goldschmidt Lineup Exposes How Much They’ll Miss Juan Soto.

Yankees Sign Paul Goldschmidt After Missing Out on Juan Soto: A Tough Road Ahead

The New York Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt on Saturday, following their near-miss with Christian Walker, who could have provided a more powerful impact on the lineup. The Yankees also lost Juan Soto, a potential Hall of Fame player, and replacing his elite bat is no small task.

Soto recently inked a 16-year, $765 million deal with the rival New York Mets, edging out the Yankees in the race to add him to their lineup. Now, the Yankees must focus on rebuilding their roster without one of the game’s brightest stars—a challenging feat.

The Yankees’ first moves post-Soto focused on strengthening the pitching staff, with signings of Max Fried and trades for Devin Williams. They’ve also added Cody Bellinger and, most recently, Goldschmidt, but it’s clear that the lineup is missing a significant punch without Soto.

The reaction from fans to the projected lineup has been one of concern. While the offseason is still unfolding and more moves could be on the horizon, trying to replace Soto by committee is unlikely to provide the same impact as having him in the middle of the order every day.

Goldschmidt Batting Cleanup? A Bold Choice

While the Yankees have several options for constructing their lineup, one thing is clear—Goldschmidt batting cleanup on a World Series contender feels off. As it stands, the Yankees still have work to do to position themselves as serious contenders for the 2025 season.

Putting Anthony Volpe at leadoff seems risky, and perhaps Aaron Judge should take that spot. Bellinger could also take the cleanup role on certain days, pushing Goldschmidt down the order. The Yankees are also hoping for potential breakout seasons from Jasson Dominguez or Giancarlo Stanton, which could make this lineup reshuffling unnecessary.

Without Soto, the Yankees are left with fewer “sure things” at the top of the lineup, creating a sense of uncertainty. For a team like the Yankees, this lack of stability is concerning as they approach the new season.