In the case of Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees made him a seven-time All-Star just a few seasons after winning the National League MVP.
He's also coming off the worst season of his life, when he was trending down virtually everywhere.
In Goldschmidt, the Yankees acquired a four-time Gold Glove-winning first baseman, but haven't had one since 2021, and the 37-year-old doesn't have the range he once boasted.
In Goldschmidt, the Yankees finally got a hitting whiz who might be in the Hall of Fame, but how quickly can he become eligible?
As is customary, the Yankees took a shot at an aging veteran whose best days are behind him, but who may still have good days left.
Let's take a look at Goldschmidt's 2024 season and find out if he becomes more Matt Carpenter or Troy Tulowitzki.
mostly good
In his final season with the Cardinals, the 14-year veteran was miserable for almost four months (.665 OPS as of July 27), but had a strong last two months (last 54 games). OPS.818).
But throughout a polarizing season, he continued to hit the ball hard.
According to FanGraphs, 40% of his batted balls hit 95 mph or higher, which was good for 15th among eligible hitters (Bryce Harper was 16th).
He signed a $12.5 million contract with the Yankees in the final two months of the season, which has not yet been announced.
Over the past two months, he has bounced back in a significant way.
His strikeout rate dropped from 28.7 percent to 22.1 percent. His slugging percentage jumped from .379 to .486. His average jumped from .227 to .283.
His bat speed has also increased, perhaps a positive sign that the older player is changing his skillset and adjusting his approach at the plate.
Goldschmidt's year-end numbers (.716 OPS, 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 11 stolen bases) aren't overwhelming, but consider the Yankees' 2024 first baseman numbers.
The group's overall OPS of .602 was the worst in baseball among groups at that position.
Sure, the Yankees will expect more, but if Goldschmidt is about the same league-average hitter he was last season, they won't have any complaints.
There is hope that the fit could lead to something more, both in the stadium and in the lineup.
Goldschmidt pulled the ball more than usual last season, but he's known as a slugger who uses all fields.
Among eligible batters over the past two years, Goldschmidt has hit balls to right field 28.9 percent of the time, the 13th highest rate in baseball.
He can go on the short porch (and owns a 1.192 OPS in six career games in the Bronx).
Statcast estimates Goldschmidt would have hit three more home runs last season had all games been played at the stadium.
Cody Bellinger is an ideal traditional player for the Yankees as a pull-happy left-handed swinger.
Goldschmidt could be a great fit for the Yankees in 2025 as a right-handed all-field hitter.
Last season, the Yankees' OPS against southpaws was more than 50 points worse than opposing right-handed pitchers, and they need a left-handed pitcher to kill, and even the weakened Goldschmidt can kill left-handed pitchers (OPS: .839 last season).
If Goldschmidt struggles with right-handedness, he and Ben Rice could form a strong platoon.
mostly bad
Often times, the proverbial lost steps at the plate show up in peripheral numbers such as strikeout rate, walk rate, and pursuit rate.
In both cases, Goldschmidt's 2024 campaign raised warning flags.
His strikeout percentages over the past five seasons are 18.6, 20.0, 21.7, 23.4, and 26.5.
Even when he recovered in the second half of this year, he still missed a lot.
In 2024, he issued a career-worst 7.2 percent of walks, which contributed to his career-worst on-base percentage of .302.
One of baseball's most disciplined hitters had the worst swings of his career, hitting 29.5 percent of his pitches outside the strike zone. This is often a signal to the batter that he knows his bat speed is dropping and must start swinging earlier than usual (and before he is sure if the pitch will be a strike). ).
Another sign that the bat is no longer moving fast is the batter's inability to overcome hard fastballs.
Last season, Goldschmidt hit .230 with a .685 OPS against pitches over 95 mph.
All hitters get worse as speed increases, but he was only 2-for-24 (.083) against pitches over 98 mph.
In 2023, against such a fastball, Goldschmidt had 9 hits in 27 at bats (.333 batting average).
He's almost certainly going to be better than the Yankees' first baseman last season, but a better comparison might be the first baseman the team didn't acquire this winter.
Christian Walker signed with the Astros, Carlos Santana signed with the Guardians, who shipped Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks, and Nathaniel Rowe was shipped from Texas to Washington.
Pete Alonso is still on the board.
If Goldschmidt is more Tulowitzki than Carpenter, the Yankees and their fans will be reminded of the generally less risky hitters available.
