Rice at third? Yankees shrug off, but glove work tells a different story

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Despite manager Aaron Boone’s denial, the Yankees’ handling of Ben Rice hints at a third base move.

In baseball, necessity often becomes the mother of invention. Such was the scene at Yankee Stadium Sunday morning, where versatile slugger Ben Rice found himself fielding grounders at third base alongside Yankees’ backup catcher J.C. Escarra during a pre-game workout that raised eyebrows throughout the press box.

Rice—who has alternated between first base, catcher, and designated hitter during his breakthrough 2025 campaign—moved through the drill under the watchful eye of Yankees infield coach Travis Chapman, prompting immediate questions about a potential positional shift for the emerging fan favorite.

When questioned, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone attempted to quell speculation. “Not necessarily read anything into it,” Boone insisted. “Just doing it for fun right now.”

Yet in the calculated environment of professional baseball, “fun” rarely exists without function, especially for a team navigating significant roster challenges.

Yankees’ third base dilemma: Searching for solutions

The AL East-leading Yankees (27-19) find themselves without a reliable solution at third base following Oswaldo Cabrera’s devastating ankle injury sustained during a home-plate collision against Seattle. The injury, which required surgery and ended Cabrera’s season, exacerbated an already problematic position for the club, where offensive production had been lacking even before the mishap.

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. still sidelined and internal replacement options limited, the organization appears to be exploring unconventional alignments.

This is where Rice enters the equation.

The 26-year-old has posted impressive offensive numbers through the season’s first quarter: a .250 batting average complemented by a .348 on-base percentage and robust .877 OPS. His 9 home runs and 20 RBIs have established him as an essential offensive contributor during a challenging stretch of injuries.

However, Rice faces a playing-time crunch at his natural positions. First base remains occupied by veterans on rotation, while designated hitter duties frequently go to Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton when they require defensive rest. The third base experiment could represent an elegant solution—keeping Rice’s bat in the lineup without displacing established stars.

Expanding defensive horizons

When approached about the morning workout, infield instructor Travis Chapman characterized it as part of a broader development plan for Rice’s defensive versatility.

“He took ground balls at second, short, third, first,” Chapman explained. “Just getting his feet moving. I like putting him in a position where he’s got to be more athletic with his feet.”

While acknowledging that first base remains Rice’s primary defensive home, Chapman left the door open for additional assignments. “That’s our main priority—getting his feet working to put him in a more athletic position.”

Practical considerations behind the move

Despite minimal experience at the hot corner, Rice’s physical attributes and developing footwork suggest he might possess sufficient tools to handle third base adequately, if not exceptionally. 

The Yankees’ immediate need isn’t for Gold Glove caliber defense but rather acceptable fielding paired with offensive production.

The organization’s calculus appears straightforward: if Rice continues hitting, they’ll carve out lineup space for him. In today’s MLB, where positional flexibility has become increasingly valuable, players like Rice enhance their worth through adaptability, particularly when injuries force roster reconfiguration.

According to reporter Gary Phillips, Sunday’s session wasn’t entirely spontaneous—the Yankees have previously had Rice and Escarra take grounders at shortstop and third during road trips, suggesting this represents a contingency plan that’s been developing behind the scenes.

Unexpected offensive catalyst

Rice has evolved from an organizational depth piece to a legitimate offensive threat during the 2025 campaign. His disciplined approach, contact skills, and developing power have provided crucial balance to a lineup that sometimes tilts heavily toward power hitters.

His on-base percentage ranks among team leaders, while his OPS exceeds several everyday players at premium defensive positions, making his bat too valuable to sideline, especially with mounting pressure and a depleted roster.

The organization now faces the challenge of accelerating its defensive development while maintaining its offensive momentum.

Following an established blueprint

The Yankees have a history with position conversions. DJ LeMahieu transformed from a second baseman into a multi-position cornerstone during his prime years in pinstripes. Even Cabrera demonstrated impressive versatility by playing six different positions before his injury.

If Rice demonstrates proficiency at third, he could follow a similar developmental path toward a utility role with regular at-bats, precisely what LeMahieu achieved during his most productive seasons.

As Chapman indicated, the objective isn’t defensive excellence but rather maintaining adequate fielding while maximizing offensive contributions.

Strategic ambiguity or genuine trial?

Boone’s characteristic optimism often comes with calculated vagueness when discussing potential role changes. Acknowledging Rice’s potential position switch prematurely might create unnecessary pressure or provide valuable intelligence to opposing teams.

Rice himself maintained the party line, echoing Boone’s “just for fun” characterization. Yet with the Yankees weathering one of their most challenging injury situations in recent memory, positional flexibility represents a competitive advantage rather than a casual experiment.

The coming weeks offer opportunities to gradually introduce Rice to third base in controlled situations. Even a limited game experience could establish the foundation for a more substantial role, particularly if internal alternatives struggle.

Should Rice demonstrate adequate defensive capability at third, Boone gains significant lineup flexibility—potentially maximizing offensive production without compromising infield defense below acceptable thresholds.

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