The Yankees added a former MVP to their offseason rebuild on Saturday. Paul Goldschmidt reached agreement with the club on a one-year contract worth $12.5 million, an industry source confirmed, filling the Yankees need at first base. The deal is still pending a physical. St. Louis Cardinals infielder Paul Goldschmidt (46) plays his position against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Oracle Park this past season. Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Goldschmidt, 37, won the National League MVP award with the Cardinals in 2022. But the seven-time All-Star is coming off a down season by his standards in which he produced a .245/.302/.414 slash line with 22 homers and 65 RBIs. Goldschmidt will replace Anthony Rizzo, whose option for next season was Saku Koivu Jersey declined by the Yankees. Explore More Goldschmidts average exit velocity (91.2 mph) and hard-hit ball percentage (49.6) remained high last season, according to Statcast. But his walk rate dropped to a career low 7.2 percent. His hard-hit ball percentage ranked in the 92nd percentile. His average exit velocity ranked in the 82nd percentile. Paul Goldschmidt runs up the first-base line after hitting a solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Denver. AP After an underwhelming first half for the Cardinals last season, Goldschmidt was more of a force after the All-Star break, with a .799 OPS in his final 62 games. Goldschmidt also stole 11 bases last season. Defensively, he was e sentially an average player last season at zero outs above average for range. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt throws out Cleveland Guardians Daniel Schneemann at first during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in St. Louis. AP Goldschmidt won four Gold Glove awards playing for the Diamondbacks. The Yankees finalized the deal with Goldschmidt a day after another potentially attractive first-base option, Christian Walker, reached agreement with the Astros on a three-year contract worth $60 million. Pete Alonso had been on the Yankees radar, but the slugging first baseman has sought a longer-term deal, and the chances of his return to the Mets seem likelier following Goldschmidts agreement in The Bronx. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Since losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to the Mets, the Yankees shopping spree has included the additions of Max Fried and Devin Williams for the pitching staff, with Cody Bellinger and Goldschmidt added to the lineup. Bellinger has experience playing first base, along with the outfield. It left the Yankees with the option of pursuing a bat for the outfield or first base following the deal with the Cubs for Bellinger. The Yankees offered Soto a 16-year contract worth $760 million, but that deal was topped by Mets owner Steve Cohen, who went the final mile to secure the All-Star outfielder. The Mets signed Soto to a 15-year deal worth $765 million guaranteed. The total value of the contract could reach $805 million, depending on whether the Mets agree to void an opt-out following the 2029 season by increasing Sotos annual salary. St. Louis Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in St. Louis. AP It remains to be seen whether the Yankees will add another infielder to replace free-agent Gleyber Torres. The team last summer acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. and inserted him at third base. It leaves the Yankees with the option of moving Chisholm to his natural position, second base, and acquiring a third baseman. Or the Yankees could leave Chisholm at third and look to fill second with a smaller move. In house, the Yankees have Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera as second-base options. DJ LeMahieu still has $30 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons but is viewed more as a po sibility to play third than second. Yankees GM Brian Cashman last week said the door wasnt shut on re-signing Torres, but even so, such a move appears unlikely at this point. Justin Barron Jersey