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Yankees expected to make surprising roster decision involving Ben Rice.
The New York Yankees are bringing back a very similar team, but slugger Ben Rice could have a surprising role.
New York decided to re-sign Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal, and he’s expected to remain at first base. Ben Rice was supposed to be the everyday first baseman, so his role with the team isn’t set in stone.
Yet, Yankees insider Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com predicts New York will only keep catcher Austin Wells on the roster, and have Rice serve as the backup catcher as well as his time at first base.
“This is where Ben Rice comes in,” Caldera wrote. “For a time last season, the Yankees had Rice, their regular first baseman against right-handed pitching, as their lone backup catcher.
“That could happen again to start the season, partly due to the scheduled off days on the early schedule – allowing Escarra regular at-bats at Triple-A, rather than rare playing time behind Wells. Plus, this opens another roster spot for a versatile defender/utility player to begin the season.”
Rice would still play first base but would be the backup catcher, which does come with some risks, mostly if he and Wells both get injured during the same game. Yet, Caldera believes the Yankees believe that having Rice as the backup catcher gives the team some much-needed roster flexibility without having to carry Escarra.
Yankees Prioritizing Rice at First Base
Although Caldera believes Rice could serve as the backup catcher to begin the season, the Yankees want him as their everyday first baseman.
Rice has focused on first base in spring training, Manager Aaron Boone said the Yankees want to “prioritize him getting his reps and his work at first base.”
Given that Rice hasn’t been putting his catching equipment on, it does appear that the Yankees would want Escarra on the roster.
However, to begin the season, perhaps the Yankees are comfortable with Wells catching every day to allow New York to carry another player for some roster flexibility.
Goldschmidt Wants to Help Rice
The Yankees bringing back Goldschmidt was a bit of a surprise, as many thought the team would give Rice the chance to be the everyday first baseman.
Yet, the Yankees opted to bring back Goldschmidt, who will platoon at first base, but he also wants to serve as a mentor for Rice.
“He’s a great player, a very smart player, and very hard-working,” Goldschmidt told SNY on Feb. 11. “I saw him just improve a lot last year. The more experience he gets, he’s just going to keep improving over there, keep working, make adjustments, and just has the potential to be a really great player.”
Meanwhile, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that Goldschmidt’s return won’t affect any of Rice’s at-bats, as the Yankees have a clear plan for both of them.
“I would say that Ben Rice still enters spring as the predominant first baseman, especially against right‑handed pitching,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “And yet when you consider what Goldy can do [with his] very robust .731 OPS. Still very good, especially against lefties. I would say against pretty much every lefty that you face, if you’re the New York Yankees, Goldy is in the lineup somewhere. Now, of course, that could also be at DH depending on what [Giancarlo] Stanton’s role is on a particular day. And [Aaron] Judge as well.”
Rice hit .255 with 26 home runs and 65 RBIs last season with the Yankees.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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