With the Aug 1. trade deadline looming, Rice looked like a perfect candidate to head a bundled package of youth that might bring us the next Sidney Ponson, because - come on - the Yankees can always use another Sir Sidney. Over the last month, Rice - who remains primarily listed as a DH - had hit a meager .212, about 80 points below DJ LeMahieu, now of the Netherworld. Entering last night, Rice had one HR in the last 30 days. (One more than DJ.)
Well, as I'm sure you know by now, last night, Rice's dramatic 9th inning homer, the first pitch from the same closer who fanned him Monday, launches two diametrically opposing forces.
1. He increased his value in any trade talk. Whatever Cooperstown Cashman was expecting in return for Rice, he'll surely demand more.
2. He made it tougher for Yank fans to accept such a trade. We all know the rule: Never fall in love with a young Yankee in a slump. But didn't Rice just put himself out of reach for a newly refurbished Ponson?
Insert sigh here.
Shortly after it went out, Micheal Kay suggested that Rice's blast was the biggest HR thus far of the Yankee 2025 season. Who am I to question a shot of pure YES Channel hyperbole! Either way, Rice came through, Dartmouth can celebrate, and tonight, the Yankees could win the series against a team that, thus far this season, has eaten their lunch.
Listen: One of the inside jokes about rooting for the Yankees is that other fans think we have it easy. They say, "Why are you complaining? You have 27 world championships, and you buy every player." They don't realize that most of those rings came five generations ago, and the era of Yankee big-spending died 20 years ago with Hideki Irabu. We are desperate old fogies, living in a creaky house that is falling apart, all around us, clinging to memories of Shane Spencer and Jim Leyritz, and a time that was much less dreadful and horrific than the Epstein-soaked modern era.
Last night, the universe threw us a bone. Let's have the wisdom to savor it.
Ben Rice! Wow! And tonight, Mad Max! Who knows!
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20 comments:
Volpe is a superior shortstop who just has a few too many errors.
Further proof that Boone is an idiot. Though, to be fair, Goldy probably short hops Volpe's throw for an out. Ben is not quite Goldy. But Volpe can't seem to reach first base with his throws.
That's kind of a problem. Maybe Volpe should play first and Rice should play shortstop. Or something.
Boone should play "Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear."
At this point, I have no idea why we would want another rental, this time at third, for 59 games. At the expense of our best prospects.
Unless Volpe is included in the deal. Sure, that creates a hole at short, but we already have a hole at short. And an asshole in the manager's office. And in the front office. But then, Hal has proven to be a back door man.
I wouldn't be overly optimistic about Fried tonight. He has a recurring blister problem on his finger and has experienced it at times throughout his tenure with Atlanta. From a current article:
Fried has made four trips to the injured list due to blisters on that finger during his time with the Atlanta Braves, going 23 days between starts in 2018, 12 days each in 2019 and 2021, and 18 days in 2023, which included a gap between the regular season and playoffs.
Every case is its own thing,” Fried said. “Definitely didn’t want to do too much where I wanted to catch it, hopefully before it became a real big, big deal. It was definitely uncomfortable enough to the point where I didn’t want to risk more, and it was going to affect my pitches. So, yeah, just the next couple of days are going to be big in just being able to evaluate how long I need.”
Treatment has only a limited impact.
“There are different creams and modalities and things that we can do to try to help speed up the process, but at the end of the day, it’s just letting the skin heal,” Fried said.
He's heard the stories about how future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan soaked his fingers in pickle juice at the behest of Mets athletic trainer Gus Mauch.
I’ve tried a little bit of everything,” Fried said, "every wives’ tale, every piece of equipment that has been available. I’m willing to try anything to try to just speed it up and try to keep it away.”
A pitcher just used the word "modalities." He could be a musician, though the blister problem might hinder him just as much in that profession as in his current one!
How about some quickies (that’s what SHE said)
Gil could be back by Aug 1,
Yarborough could be out until September
Cruz late August, estimated
Leiter : no timetable.
Yanks winning % vs non AL East: 616
Yanks winning % vs AL East .393
So, BTR, that means if we can win the division and not have to play any other AL East team in the playoffs, we're a shoo-in.
Cough.
I still say, trade Rice, or trade Volpe, or trade both. But do NOT deal Jones or The Martian (coming every Wednesday this fall, on what remains of CBS).
Don’t tell boone…
Thanks for the lowdown on Max Fried, Carl J. Weitz. This explains why it was so easy for Cashie to grab such a "premium" pitcher so easily. Sure, I don't know where we would be without him. But...this is our big guy?
Even with his home run last night, Rice does seem like the odd man out
I agree with Hoss that Rice and Volpe are trade bait. On the other hand, Lombard can't hit, and neither can Peraza or Jorbit. Maybe trade all three of those for an infielder or two with good defense and adequate offense.
Yeah, that'll probably take Rice or Volpe into the package. Should be Volpe, and won't be. Cashman is an asshole. Boone is an idiot.
Including Rice or Volpe
“There's a difference between defending your guy and straight up lying to the public.” - Max Mannis on X
The wind cries...Volpe...
1) Rice's recent hitting issues began when they put him back behind the plate.
I'm pretty sure that next year they just give him first base and let him develop there. Otherwise Hal is going to have to pony up for a top 1st baseman and he's not going to.
They should not trade him. So I guess they will.
2) Volpe is toast.
Maybe he'll be better somewhere else like Gleyber but it doesn't appear he can handle the pressure. I feel bad for him.
Does anyone know what percentage of his errors are made late and close or in pivotal moments? I'm guessing it's most of them.
He's about to Yip like a dog whose tail got accidentally stepped on.
Gone in the off season.
Sad but when you've lost Winnie it's pretty much over.
3) We need relief pitchers badly.
We don't need a starter. Well, actually we do but we might be able to get by.
We don't need a third baseman. Well actually we do but we should just do an inexpensive trade for a glove only guy. We need defense over there more than another bat.
We need bullpen guys so we can stop pretending Lasagna is good. Well actually it is delicious, but I'm talking about the player not the food.
Did we not learn anything with the treatment given to Clint Frazer? How about we get behind Volpe, who has made more than his share of errors, but is out there busting his hump every day and makes his share of great plays!
Let’s try some positivity for once, guys, and see if the Juju gods help get this young man on the right track.
That’s not the attitude that wins
Trade Rice and we're going to regret it. Not now, but soon, and for the rest of our lives...
Pos it I vity
Unfortunately, too many things wrong with this organization and team.
The internet anagram server lists 1704 anagrams for AnthonyVolpe. Here is just the first one on the list: Venal Typhoon
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