Former MVP Paul Goldschmidt targets 2026 play. Could the Marlins, seeking veteran leadership and fan interest, sign the aging slugger?
A possible free-agent first-baseman target for the Miami Marlins has reportedly made his decision for the 2026 season.
MLB Insider Jon Morosi reported on Monday that Paul Goldschmidt, the 38-year-old former MVP who has a case for Cooperstown, is getting ready to play in 2026.
Goldschmidt isn't the player he used to be, which is why the New York Yankees only signed him to a one-year deal before the 2025 season. Last season, Goldschmidt was servicable: a .274/.328/.403 slash line, 10 homers and 46 RBI in 146 games. But the guy who became one of the most feared hitters in the game over 14 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals appears to be history.
Still, Goldschmidt could prove useful to the Marlins.
Currently, Miami's projected Opening Day first baseman is Graham Pauley, a 25-year-old who has 75 big-league games under his belt.
Pauley is projected by FanGraphs to hit ninth in Miami's lineup, which shows what his offensive capabilities are thought to be.
Goldschmidt, even at 38, could be a the better option this season for Miami, a team looking to make it to the postseason.
Of course, the Marlins need to consider the Goldschmidt of now before they think about the player he used to be.
But the player Goldschmidt used to be isn't a non-factor here. For one, the Marlins were the youngest team in the majors last season, and the average age of FanGraphs' current projected starting lineup is 26. For a team that's still learning how to win, it might not hurt to add a 38-year-old who has been to the playoffs six times.
There's also the PR element.
It's no secret that Miami has a hard time drawing fans, having finished 28th out of 30 teams in attendance last season. Getting a potential future Hall of Famer wouldn't automatically lead to consistent sellouts at Marlins Park, but it wouldn't hurt fan interest, either.
So will the Marlins hook Goldschmidt? Well, the Yankees are interested in bringing him back, per Jack Curry of the YES Network. So if it comes down to Miami and New York, the Marlins' chances might not be so good.
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