Amid the disappointment of being eliminated in the ALDS, the New York Yankees can already start planning for 2026 – a year in which they’ll aim to end a 16-year World Series title drought.
To achieve that, it will be crucial to focus on the future and ensure that the young talent already within the organization doesn’t slip away.
Don’t let Ben Rice leave the Yankees
Regardless of what the Yankees might pursue in free agency this offseason, keeping Ben Rice in the Bronx should be a top priority. Several teams have reportedly shown strong interest in the young slugger, whose name has emerged as one of the most appealing trade pieces in the league.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, multiple teams have inquired about Rice, but the Yankees remain firm in their decision not to move him.
“Ben Rice has been about the most popular Yankee in trade talks. Teams have been asking about him regularly, but the Yankees are understandably extremely reluctant to deal him,” Heyman wrote in a recent article.
Ben Rice clearly represents the future of first base for the Yankees after a season in which he hit 26 home runs and posted an .836 OPS.
The Yankees are expected to have a very active offseason, but the Ben Rice situation is particularly concerning for fans – even as the front office also weighs interest in Kyle Tucker and decides on the futures of Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham within the organization.
The organization must be careful with every move it makes regarding its players, just one season after being eliminated and extending its 16-year World Series title drought. The New York Yankees haven’t won a championship since 2009, and it’s vital to find or retain the best talent within their roster.
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