The revolving door at first base in the Bronx has been spinning so fast it’s a wonder nobody’s gotten dizzy. For years, the New York Yankees have been chasing a ghost—specifically, the ghost of a reliable, left-handed power bat that doesn’t fall apart by August. We watched the Anthony Rizzo era end with a quiet retirement in late 2025, and honestly, it was time. Rizzo was the heart of that clubhouse, but those injuries were just too much. Now, as we stare down the 2026 season, the conversation has shifted.
It’s Ben Rice. It’s basically always been Ben Rice, even when the front office wasn't sure.
If you’re looking for the first baseman for the Yankees, you aren't looking for a stopgap anymore. You’re looking at a kid who grew up in the system and forced his way into the lineup. Last year was the "show me" season. Rice didn't just show up; he posted an .836 OPS and thrashed 26 home runs in 138 games. That’s not a fluke. That’s a cornerstone.
The Post-Rizzo Reality Check
Let’s be real about what happened with Anthony Rizzo. He retired in September 2025 after 14 seasons, and while it was emotional, it cleared the deck. The Yankees spent the early part of last year trying to squeeze one last drop of juice out of Paul Goldschmidt, who they’d brought in as a veteran insurance policy. Goldy started hot—hitting .338 through May—but the wheels came off fast. By July, he was hitting .226 and looked every bit of 38 years old.
That’s when the team finally stopped overthinking it.
They handed the bag to Rice. Most fans were skeptical. You probably were, too. The kid had a rough cup of coffee in 2024, hitting a measly .171. But the jump he made in 2025 was massive. He improved his plate discipline, started punishing high fastballs, and actually looked like he belonged at the bag. He’s 26 now, entering his prime, and for the first time in half a decade, the Yankees don't have a "situation" at first base. They have a solution.
Why the Ben Rice Hype is Legitimate
Rice isn't just a "good for a rookie" type of player. His 2025 stats were borderline elite for the position. He finished with a 131 OPS+, which basically means he was 31% better than the average MLB hitter. For context, that puts him in the conversation with some of the better offensive first basemen in the American League.
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He’s a Dartmouth guy. Super smart. You see it in his at-bats. He doesn't just swing at everything; he works counts and waits for a mistake. The Yankees' lineup is usually built on "three true outcomes" (walk, strikeout, or home run), but Rice brings a bit more balance. He had 28 doubles last year. That’s gap power that keeps the line moving for guys like Aaron Judge and Jasson Dominguez.
The Defensive Question
Is he a Gold Glover? No. Probably never will be. Rice was originally a catcher, and you can still see those "catcher feet" when he’s moving around the bag. He had a -4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) last year, which isn't great, but it’s manageable. The Yankees are betting that his bat is so valuable that they can live with "fine" defense.
Plus, with the way this roster is constructed, they have options if he needs a late-inning replacement. Oswaldo Cabrera is still the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and even though he’s recovering from an ankle tweak, he’s slated to be the primary backup at first.
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What About the Free Agent Rumors?
Every winter, the New York media starts linked the Yankees to every big-name first baseman on the market. This year, it was Cody Bellinger. People love the idea of Bellinger’s lefty swing in Yankee Stadium. And yeah, Bellinger is still out there as of January 2026, but the price tag is astronomical.
The Yankees are finally being smart. Why pay $25 million a year for a veteran whose best years might be behind him when you have Rice under team control for peanuts?
- Rice provides left-handed power.
- He has established chemistry with the core.
- His contract allows the team to spend money on pitching (like the David Bednar and Camilo Doval deals they just locked up).
It’s a different vibe in the Bronx right now. Brian Cashman seems less obsessed with "winning the offseason" and more focused on letting the kids play. Between Rice at first, Volpe at short, and Dominguez in left, the "Baby Bombers" 2.0 era is officially here.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
If you're betting on the 2026 Yankees, keep an eye on how Rice handles the pressure of being "The Guy" from Day 1. Last year, he was the underdog. This year, he’s on the scouting report. Teams are going to pitch him differently. They’ll try to exploit that high strikeout rate (he had 100 Ks in 467 at-bats), and he’ll need to adjust.
The depth chart is settled. Rice is the starter. Cabrera is the backup. If things get really weird, you might see Austin Wells or even Amed Rosario take some reps there, but that’s an "emergency only" scenario.
First baseman for the Yankees used to be a position of constant anxiety. Now, it feels like the most stable spot on the infield. Rice is hitting in the middle of a lineup that features a healthy Aaron Judge and a surging Jasson Dominguez. If he hits 30 homers this year—which is totally doable given his 2025 trajectory—he isn't just a starter; he’s an All-Star.
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Keep a close eye on his early-season splits against lefties. If he can prove he doesn't need to be platooned, the Yankees might have their first long-term fixture at the cold corner since Mark Teixeira.
To stay ahead of the curve this season, watch the spring training velocity. Rice struggled slightly with 98+ mph heat toward the end of last September. If he’s shortened his swing path over the winter, he’s going to be a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Grab his jersey now before the bandwagon gets too crowded.