That said, the juju jury is still out. Rice's .246 BA keeps dwindling, ever closer to his weight, 228. He hits balls hard, but his liners find gloves. He shows 30 HR power. Considering his output, it's hard to recall that the Yankees last fall went with Anthony Rizzo at first, though they wanted the glove. (Oh well...)
In 2025, Rice has blunted the injury loss of Giancarlo Stanton, which seemed devastating in March. Here is a comparison through June 6 of this year and last:
Rice (2025): 12 HR, 26 RBIs, .245 BA, .841 OPS
Stanton (2024): (15 HR, 36 RBI, .239 BA, .794 OPS.
If you consider that Rice bats lefty, it's a logistical improvement over Stanton, who tilted the lineup to the right. Of course, last October, Stanton - not Judge - briefly became the team's premier slugger. The Yankees say he'll start a rehab assignment next week. Soon, Stanton will return as DH, and no matter how you slice it, Rice will lose playing time.
Listen: Ben Rice has a bright future, once the Yankees find a place for him.
But but BUT... what if they can't?
Barring a meltdown - always a possibility - the 2025 Yankees will make the postseason. That said, they have dire needs - most notably, pitching, pitching, pitching. Will Warren still must prove himself, Devin Williams is a mystery, and there always innings to be devoured and elbows to be blown out. The infield needs a final piece, either at 3B or 2B, as DJ LeMahieu treads water. (Fun Fact: Gleyber Torres in Detroit might be the AL all-star 2B.)
So, what happens next month, at the deadline? Well, Brian Cashman can once again raid the farm system. Former first-round pick Spencer Jones - once viewed as an untouchable Judge clone - looks increasing expendable, and less coveted. A few prospects have popped up, and - as always - the Yankees can deal them.
But what if they offer a 26-year-old lefty hitting machine who can play 1B and might develop into a major league catcher? Rice is relatively cheap, under contractual control and forged in baseball's toughest market, where if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.
Does that bring a number two starter? Or an all-star level 3B?
Lately, we've been deluged by speculation stories about players the Yankees could obtain on or before Aug. 1. They gloss over the price to be paid. It sucks to think of Rice in another jersey. And the idea of doubling down on Stanton - who will surely get hurt again - is almost insane.
But Rice will probably go on the block. Buckle up, folks. Changes are coming.
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13 comments:
Lost in this commentary is the obvious truth so overlooked in any trade speculation involving the Yankees: they trade for contracts at least as much as for talent. The team had ample opportunity in Jan-Feb to improve themselves further but did not do so because Steinbummer was done spending. Trading Rice (which I’m not actively advocating) would indicate an all-in approach to the rest of this season, meaning additional salary expenses and additional trades involving an already undermanned farm system. Do Hal + Pal have the stones for this?
Survey says: 👎
Let's see if Stanton can survive baseball activities first...
Happy Yogi Day everyone!
Trading Rice would be incredibly stupid, unnecessary, and short-sighted. So it's a sure thing.
Exactly - I don't get all this negativity. We all know that any trade deadline deals that Cash makes happen will only weaken the team and lower our chances from going too far and too deep into the post season. Even if the Athletics' closer is desperately in need of a change of location, and coming to New York will only lower his performance numbers and ruin his confidence down the stretch - its not like that deal isn't already being worked on....
OH MY GOD - IT'S FRIDAY!
Hey Hoss - are you heading over to the stadium later for some Lobster Tails and some beer?
Five things...
1) No.
Goldy is really good but is starting to revert to who he really is. A future Hall of Famer on the downside of his career. Love him. Glad he's on the team but he is not the future. Also, at his age, a tweak is highly probable.
2) No.
Cashman is TERRIBLE at trading for pitchers. Occasionally he's better with free agents (Cole, Fried) but he's terrible, terrible, terrible, at trading for them.
We would end up with a Montas, or a Williams, or a Sonny Gray (NYY Version)
3) No.
You said it at the top. We really like Ben Rice. Last time Cashman got rid of a beloved Yankee mid season it was Jordan Montgomery. That broke a very tight pitching staff and the team swooned big time.
4) No
Ranger already said this but it bears repeating . Stanton. Uh... maybe we should see him try to run the bases a couple of times before we dump our safety net.
5) No.
The kid is a Yankee. He looks like 50's throwback what with the socks and all.
So to sum up... No.
II am AA and I steadfastly endorse N O
No. Nyet. Nein. Non.
No, No Nanette.
I agree. No, no, no, no—for all the reasons you able gentlemen cite.
Cantrun may be—probably will be—gone again in a New York minute.
Cashman can't trade for pitchers.
Even good deals for pitchers often don't work out.
Goldschmidt is 38.
Rice has immense potential.
So...NO!
Great point, 999! That is exactly how HAL & Pal operate. They trade for contracts, not players.
NYET!!!!
And AA, no, a friend has free tickets for an Off-Broadway show, "Angry Alan," starring John Krasinski. Hour-and-a-half, no intermission—top ticket is $249. For an Off-Broadway, one-man show. Which speaks to how crazy everything is in NYC these days.
HOWEVER, I expect that Krasinski will NOT turn in a listless, terrible performance just because he's bored or tired. Which MLB should think about, now that they are at these price levels.
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
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