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Former GM Says Yankees Must Prioritize Rising Star Over Aging Veterans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated May 12, 2025 3:34 PM ET

The New York Yankees have found their first baseman. His name is Ben Rice, and according to former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden, the Yankees shouldn’t just keep him in the lineup, they should build around him.

“Nationally, we need to give him the love he deserves,” Bowden said during his MLB Network Radio show Monday morning. “What the Yankees have done is they’ve discovered their long-term first baseman. Beginning next year in 2026, they’ve solved it. He’s a very exciting player. Aaron Boone told me about him three years ago, and last year he hit .171 and I was telling everyone, ‘Boonie says he’s going to hit with power.’ And I’ve known Aaron Boone a long time. He’s going to be right. And a lot of people laughed. They all made fun because he hit .171.

“Well, let’s talk about what Ben Rice is doing right now.”

And then Bowden broke it all down.

“For those that don’t know, his on-base percentage is .368, his slugging is .569, and his OPS+ is 163 — that means he’s 63% better than the average player. He’s got nine homers, 20 RBIs, scored 25 runs, and his WAR is already at 1.3. But now let’s take it to the next level.

“Let’s compare Ben Rice with everybody. His batting run value puts him in the 95th percentile. His expected wOBA? 95th percentile. Expected slugging? 95th percentile. His barrel percentage — put your seatbelt on — 98th percentile. His hard-hit percentage? 97th percentile.”

The bottom line is the Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal with the idea they might go after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. next year. With Guerrero signed long-term in Toronto, the Yankees don’t have to worry about finding a power bat to step in.

They have one.

“Ben Rice has become a guy. He’s a story. If I’m a Yankee fan, I don’t want Stanton to get healthy. I need Ben Rice. Every day. Ben Rice is better than Goldschmidt and Stanton. He’s more important to this team than Goldschmidt and Stanton.

“So, if you want to have Goldie and Stanton? Fine. But I need Ben Rice to play. He’s been a story, and he’s the best Rice this sport has seen—some Jim Rice and the best Rice since my Chinese food!”

As Stanton nears his return from the injured list, the Yankees face a very real decision about their future and present. Bowden made the argument that the future is already here in Ben Rice.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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