Who’ll man first when it counts? Yankees’ late-season first base puzzle
- August 10, 2024
- 7:18 am
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Follow UsAs the New York Yankees enter the final stretch of the season, a heated debate is brewing among fans about who should man first base. With Anthony Rizzo on the injured list, Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu have been filling in, but with Rizzo’s return looming, the question remains: who will be the Yankees’ first baseman when the games matter most? The Yankees are presently second in AL East, 0.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles, and hold the first wild card berth ahead of the Twins. The decision is critical, as the Yankees are neck-and-neck in the division race, and every game counts. A recent Reddit thread provided a snapshot of the fanbase’s divided opinions, with arguments for each option dissected in detail.
Ben Rice or Anthony Rizzo? Who should man Yankees’ first base?
The Yankees started the season with Anthony Rizzo as their primary first baseman. However, his performance has been lackluster, posting a .223 batting average, .289 on-base percentage, 8 home runs, and 28 RBIs across 70 games. Just as Rizzo seemed to be regaining his form, he was sidelined by an injury in mid-June. Ben Rice, a younger and less experienced player, has since stepped up to fill the void.
In his 38 games, Rice has managed 7 home runs, 22 RBIs, and a .197 batting average with a .301 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu, who has also seen time at first base, has struggled with a .194 average, 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, and a .273 on-base percentage.
| Name | Age | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% |
| Anthony Rizzo | 34 | 70 | 70 | 66 | 618.1 | 514 | 450 | 61 | 3 | 47 | 0.994 |
| Ben Rice | 25 | 37 | 32 | 19 | 269 | 213 | 204 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| DJ LeMahieu | 35 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 107.2 | 90 | 86 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| J.D. Davis | 31 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 29 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Oswaldo Cabrera | 25 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14.1 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
On Reddit, fans have been vocal about who they believe should take over at first base. u/Constant_Gardner11 made a strong case for playing whoever produces the best results, noting, “Rice is hitting .127/.244/.296 (.540 OPS) with a 33% K rate since his 3 HR game. That doesn’t scream ‘guaranteed playing time’ in a division race down the stretch.” This user believes Rice has potential but emphasizes the need for immediate results, suggesting that if Rizzo shows signs of life upon his return, he should be given the opportunity to reclaim his spot, at least part-time.
Others, like u/Adventurous-While-84, highlighted the roster complications that arise with three potential first basemen. “There just isn’t room on the roster for Rizzo, Rice, and DJ as first basemen or Rizzo, Rice, and Stanton as DH. Stanton’s not going anywhere. DJ offers a righty option at first, so one of Rizzo or Rice has got to go.”
A significant portion of the community seems to favor Rice, citing his potential and the fact that Rizzo’s best days might be behind him. u/Constant-Poem-1327 summed it up with, “Rice. You have to hope he’s the future. Love Rizzo, but he’s at the end of his career.”
Meanwhile, u/Fly_Rodder argued that Rice’s underlying metrics suggest he’s been unlucky, and with time, his results could improve. “Rice has a .311 wOBA, but a .378 xwOBA. So while his offense has been about 3% better than league average, his batted ball data suggests he should be closer to 25% better than league average with neutral luck.”
However, not everyone is convinced Rice is the answer. u/PrimeVector19 acknowledged Rizzo’s leadership and experience, arguing that even though his production has been lacking, his clubhouse presence is invaluable. “I love Rizzo. He’s one of the most respected players in the majors, and he’s a sagacious figure in the clubhouse who provides keen insight and stoic leadership. But, he just hasn’t provided anything of value from a production standpoint this season; Ben Rice has at least shown something, albeit in flashes.”
The discussion also veered into practicality, with users like u/atlanstone noting that Rice’s versatility as an emergency catcher could add value to the roster, allowing the Yankees to manage their catching duties more effectively. “Rice is an emergency catcher as well, which lets you deploy your other catchers a bit more freely, but I’m reaching.”
As the debate rages on, the Yankees face a tough decision: do they stick with the veteran presence of Rizzo, hope DJ LeMahieu finds his groove, or roll the dice with Rice, betting on his potential despite his inexperience?
Many fans like u/Draycaris are leaning toward Rice, believing he deserves the chance to prove himself. “Rice by a mile. Feel like he’s got a case of the yips at the moment and is pressing and chasing the success he had in that 3 home run game. His statcast reminds me of Wells earlier in the season. I think we will see some progression in the coming weeks.”
On the other hand, the concern about Rizzo’s post-concussion performance has led some, like u/renegade_yankee, to argue that the Yankees should be cautious about relying on Rizzo moving forward. “Nothing against Rizzo, but he’s declining offensively and defensively, had a major concussion and will be 35 fairly soon. Clint Frazier had to retire due to a concussion and never fully recovered from it. Rizzo could very well be cooked.”
There’s also the camp that believes Rizzo, if healthy, could still be an asset down the stretch, as u/agb2022 pointed out. “You play them both and see if one gets hot.”
Ultimately, the decision may come down to the Yankees’ priorities: do they value Rizzo’s experience and leadership in a high-stakes environment, or do they place their bets on the future with Rice?
u/Human_Ad_7045 perhaps captured the dilemma best: “My head says Rizzo, my heart says Rice. The stats say who cares. According to History, I’ll take the Veteran over the rookie for the playoffs.”
As the Yankees approach the final and most crucial part of their season, the question of who will hold down first base remains unresolved. The debate on Reddit highlights the complexity of the decision: Rizzo offers veteran leadership and experience but has struggled with injuries and declining performance. Rice represents the future but lacks the polish and consistency needed in a playoff race. LeMahieu, though versatile, hasn’t provided much offense to warrant a permanent spot at first base.
In the end, the decision may hinge on who steps up in the limited opportunities remaining before the postseason. Whether it’s the rookie Rice who seizes the moment, the veteran Rizzo who finds his form, or a combination of the two, this decision could very well determine the Yankees’ fate in their quest for another World Series title. The fans have made their voices heard, and now it’s up to the Yankees to make a call that will shape their season. What do you think? Leave your comment below!
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