Yankees' Goldschmidt: I can still play at a 'really high level'

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is confident he can rebound in 2025 after struggling through a career-worst campaign last season.

"I didn't perform my best at all, and, like I said, no excuses," Goldschmidt said Thursday, per The Athletic's Brendan Kuty. "But I think learning from that and going through that process of trying to make those adjustments, and (I) got to a spot in the second half where I played better. I think I can still play at a really, really high level."

Goldschmidt has seen his OPS decline from .981 en route to winning NL MVP in 2022 to .716 in 2024. The 37-year-old posted an OPS of 98+ last season, the first time he's been below league average (100) in that metric over his 14-year career.

Goldschmidt found more success in the second half of the season, registering a .799 OPS with nine home runs, 19 doubles, and 28 RBIs in 62 games after the All-Star break.

The Yankees signed Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5-million contract Dec. 30.

Goldschmidt will look provide a boost at first base after Yankees first basemen finished the 2024 season tied for 25th in home runs (16) and 30th in OPS (.619).