Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Paul Goldschmidt

Arizona Diamondbacks

This one would be a great full-circle moment for all parties involved.

Goldschmidt was, and still is, loved by the fans in Arizona since the day he debuted back on August 1, 2011. Now, with him likely entering the final year of his career and the Diamondbacks looking to try and get back into the postseason, a reunion could be an option.

As it currently stands, the D-Backs are projected to have a platoon between Pavin Smith and Tyler Locklear for the upcoming season. The issue there is that Locklear sustained a major shoulder injury that has his return still TBD, but he is likely to miss the beginning of the 2026 season.

Bringing Goldy back in, at what should be a relatively cheap cost, would allow for Arizona to take their time with who they seemingly believe to be an option as their future at the position after acquiring him at the deadline in the Eugenio Suárez trade.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs could be in a situation where they have multiple holes to fill in their lineup if they are not able to retain Kyle Tucker this offseason. Whether he is in Chicago or not, the Cubs are going to need someone to take over the Justin Turner role from last season.

The Cubs have Michael Busch locked into first base for the foreseeable future, but they were not shy about hiding him against left-handed pitching last year.

With the success Goldy had last season against lefties specifically, he would be an upgrade over what Justin Turner gave them last year, and he would provide them a strong “set it and forget it” option in a lineup that could be needing some consistency in the lineup.

Cleveland Guardians

We have been begging for the Guardians to add bats to this lineup to provide support to yearly MVP candidate José Ramírez. While Goldschmidt does not provide the thump they desperately need, if they want to continue with their same approach, this bat would play.

Kyle Manzardo really showed out last year for the Guardians in his first full season in the show. The issue with Manzardo is that his defense is “not great, Bob”. Cleveland is projected to start CJ Kayfus in the DH spot heading into the season. All due respect to CJ, that cannot be a serious option for a team that is looking to make the postseason again this upcoming season.

Not yet, at least, as Kayfus has just 44 MLB games under his belt to this point.

Goldschmidt is not the same Gold Glove defender he once was, but he would provide them a decent enough option to split time between that spot and DH with Manzardo.

Miami Marlins

If you are familiar with my work at Just Baseball, you know I predominantly write about the Marlins. I may see them through rose-colored glasses, but I truly believe they are ready to compete for a postseason spot in 2026. Especially after how quick they were to work out of what was seemingly a retool of the roster.

When assessing what the Marlins should look to do this offseason, they need to add a middle-of-the-order bat and a solid option at first base. The current projected trio of Agustin Ramirez (when he isn’t catching), Graham Pauley, and Eric Wagaman is not going to be the rotation that is going to take them to the next level.

This young team could use some veteran leadership. Who better than one who has postseason experience and provides some consistency at the position that they seemingly have not had since the four straight seasons of Justin Bour from 2015-2018.

Minnesota Twins

You have to assume that a team with this much talent in its lineup has to figure it out at one point. The biggest thing to have hurt them the past couple of years is injuries and inconsistency.

Who better to fill both those voids than someone who, minus the shortened season, hadn’t played in fewer than 151 games since 2014, and that was because he fractured his hand at the beginning of August that year.

Kody Clemens looks to be the starting first baseman for the Twins right now, but, like I mentioned, this team is consistently rotating through injured players each season. Plugging Goldschmidt in as the starting first baseman will open up the versatility that Clemens gives that lineup, which is where most of his value comes from.