A bounce-back season from the right-swinging Goldschmidt, as well as the left-handed Bellinger, coupled with the additions to the pitching staff of lefty Max Fried and closer Devin Williams, would go a long way in getting the Yankees back to the top of the American League.

Paul Goldschmidt said he's "got to go out and prove it" after signing a $12.5 million, one-year deal with the Yankees after hitting a career-low .245 last season.

I didn’t play well most of last year,” Goldschmidt said on a Zoom conference call Thursday afternoon to discuss the one-year, $12.5 million contract he agreed to late last month to be the Yankees’ first baseman in 2025.