TAMPA, Fla. – The New York Yankees are asking a veteran to do something he has never done before. After nine MLB seasons and stints with seven different teams, Amed Rosario will finally break out a first baseman’s glove.
The 30-year-old utility player has played shortstop, second base, third base and all three outfield positions during his career. He has even taken the mound. But first base has remained the one spot he has avoided throughout his professional career.
The Yankees have a plan for Rosario
New York re-signed Rosario to a one-year, $2.5 million contract this offseason. Manager Aaron Boone has joked that the Dominican infielder should pack a first base mitt when he reports to spring training.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Rosario is already preparing for this challenge. He has been working out at first base during the offseason. The Yankees will give him reps at the position throughout camp.
“I have been told he is working out at first base during the off-season, and he’ll get some first base in Spring Training,” Sherman said in a video posted to X by New York Post Sports. “Besides catcher and pitcher, it is the only thing he has not played. He’s even played some center field in the major leagues. He hasn’t played first base. He probably could handle it close to average.”
Why the Yankees need this flexibility
The Yankees enter 2026 with one of the most left-handed heavy lineups in MLB. This creates problems when facing southpaw pitchers. The organization needs right-handed options who can step in against tough lefties.
Ben Rice emerged as the primary first baseman last season. The 26-year-old slugger put together a breakout campaign, hitting .255 with 26 home runs and 65 RBI. He compiled an impressive .836 OPS across 138 games.
However, Rice bats left-handed. He struggled against southpaws in 2025, hitting just .208 in 119 plate appearances. Having Rosario as a right-handed option at first base gives Boone another weapon in his arsenal.
Third base remains the primary plan
Sherman clarified that first base is not Rosario’s main assignment. The Yankees primarily want him to spell Ryan McMahon at the hot corner against left-handed pitching.
“I think the plan, though, is for him to play third base against lefties instead of McMahon,” Sherman noted.
McMahon batted roughly league average against right-handed pitching in 2025. But the lefty swinger struggled mightily when facing southpaws. Rosario fills that gap perfectly. He owns a career .300 average against left-handed pitching with an .812 OPS.
Rosario proved his value in October
The Yankees acquired Rosario from Washington at the trade deadline last summer. He made an immediate impact in the Bronx. In 16 games with New York, he batted .303 with one home run and five RBI.
His biggest moment came in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against Boston. With Red Sox lefty Connelly Early on the mound, Rosario drew the start at third base. He delivered in the clutch, helping the Yankees advance past their bitter rivals.
That performance convinced the front office to bring him back. Rosario also served as a late-inning defensive replacement in right field during blowouts. This allowed Aaron Judge to rest his legs in games already decided.
A career filled with position changes
Rosario entered MLB as a highly touted shortstop prospect with the New York Mets. The franchise signed him as an international free agent in 2012 for $1.75 million. At the time, it was the largest international signing bonus in Mets history.
He made his big league debut in 2017 and spent four seasons in Queens. The Mets traded him to Cleveland in January 2021. The Guardians immediately began transitioning him to the outfield.
His first three innings in the outfield during spring training that year were rough. He committed three errors that led to eight unearned runs. But Rosario adapted and became a serviceable defender at multiple positions.
Since then, he has bounced around MLB. Rosario played for the Dodgers, Rays, Reds and Nationals before landing with the Yankees. His ability to play almost anywhere makes him valuable to any roster.
The numbers favor this experiment
Rosario made significant adjustments to his swing last offseason. He moved closer to the plate and opened his stance. He also started his swing earlier, allowing him to catch pitches further out in front.
The results were dramatic. His average bat speed increased by two miles per hour. His hard-hit rate jumped 8.8 percentage points. His average exit velocity climbed 4.3 mph.
For his career, Rosario owns a .273 batting average with 69 home runs and 389 RBI across nine MLB seasons. He has 1,008 career hits and remains an effective baserunner despite average foot speed.
Spring training will reveal the answer
First base is often considered the easiest position to learn on the diamond. The Yankees believe Rosario possesses the athleticism to handle it adequately. Sherman suggested he could perform close to average there.
The experiment gives New York maximum roster flexibility. If Rosario can play first, third, second and all three outfield spots, Boone gains countless lineup combinations. That versatility becomes crucial during a 162-game grind.
Rice will remain the everyday first baseman for the Yankees. But having Rosario as a backup option against lefties could prove invaluable. The veteran has proven throughout his career that he can adapt to any role the organization needs.
Pitchers and catchers report next week. Position players arrive shortly after. When Rosario takes the field in Tampa, he will have a new glove in his bag. It might be the final frontier in a career defined by defensive versatility.
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