Yankees Could Trade Ben Rice After 'Off Limits' Update, Per Report
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As usual, the New York Yankees will be looking to make some splashy upgrades before the trade deadline.
After reaching the World Series last year and then replacing Juan Soto with several high-profile additions in the offseason, the team still seems to be a few pieces short of returning. Primarily, they are expected to target a third base upgrade to replace Oswald Peraza, some bullpen reinforcement and perhaps a starting pitcher as well.
But as the Yankees look to bring in some additional talent, there are two controllable pieces they are reportedly unwilling to part with.
"The Yankees will not be trading top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr.," Jim Bowden reported for The Athletic. "I'm told both are off limits."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees looks on during the eighth inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 03, 2025...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees looks on during the eighth inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) More
Satloff/Getty
The Yankees would have some less promising prospects to pick from. But Yankees insider Joel Sherman suggested they could instead build a package around big leaguer Ben Rice.
"Multiple teams have been inquiring about the viability of Ben Rice as a catcher, which gives a window into how the Yankees could pull off a larger trade before the deadline," Sherman wrote for the New York Post. "But one way to make a bigger trade and/or protect the farm system would be to use Rice in a deal rather than strictly prospects."
Though he might not have the ceiling of some of the Yankees' best prospects, Rice would be hard to part with. He is slashing .232/.323/.468 with 15 homers so far this season, a sharp improvement from his debut campaign. And he could be seen internally as the heir to pending free agent Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
But if the Yankees are able to bolster an area or two of greater need with a package built around Rice, it seems there is some interest out there in acquiring him.
More MLB: Pirates Starter Tagged As Best Available By MLB Insider As Deadline Nears
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