When it became clear in spring training that New York Yankees star slugger Giancarlo Stanton was going to be out for much of the season with tendinitis in both elbows, the Bronx Bombers’ American League-leading offense looked like it would have a 429 career home run-sized hole in it.
Instead, even in Stanton’s absence, the Yankees offense is again leading the league with 5.72 runs per game, significantly better that last year’s scoring pace.
One big reason why the Yankees have been able to keep up their relentless power attack has been second-year designated hitter Ben Rice.
A former prep hockey player who went to college at Ivy League Dartmouth — graduating with a major in psychology — and a lowly 12th-round draft pick in 2021, Rice makes an unlikely savior in Stanton’s absence. But that is exactly what Rice has been.
But it now appears Stanton will be back in the Yankees lineup sooner than expected, possibly before the month of May is out. What do the Yankees do with Rice then?
With his eight home runs, nine doubles and .905 OPS, the 26-year-old has certainly earned a permanent lineup spot. He was drafted as a catcher, but Austin Wells and backup J.C. Escarra have that position covered.
At first base, the Yankees won’t be moving Paul Goldschmidt anytime soon, after signing the 2022 National League MVP to a one-year, $12.5 million contract.
Once healthy, Stanton is tabbed to take over the DH spot now held down by Rice.
There is only one position where the Yankees are looking for a permanent occupant: third base. Could Rice play there, in the interests of keeping his bat in the lineup?
That’s what Yankees broadcaster and longtime insider Michael Kay wants to know. But he says that for some reason, manager Aaron Boone is dead set against the idea.
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“I’ve asked Aaron Boone three times now — can Ben Rice play third base?” Kay said recently, as quoted by writer Nayima Riyaz of Essentially Sports. “He shuts it down every time. I mentioned it to someone in baseball, and they rolled their eyes and said, ‘Joe Torre played third base.’ You’re telling me Rice can’t even try it?”
Torre, who won four World Series as Yankees manager, was a converted catcher in his playing career.
Regular third baseman D.J. LeMahieu has also missed the whole season so far due to injury, but is expected to return as early as this coming week. But with the recent oblique muscle tear that has put starting second-bagger Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the shelf, LeMahieu is now tabbed by Boone to take over second when he returns.
Kay did not mention why Boone has been steadfast in his refusal to consider playing Rice at third. Despite carrying the third-highest OPS on the team, as well as the third-highest home run total, Rice may find himself back in the minor leagues when Stanton returns, if Boone does not change his mind.
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