The New York Yankees will be testing out a surprising player at first base in the spring ahead of next season.
By the end of last season, New York turned to Ben Rice to man first base, with veteran Paul Goldschmidt primarily taking on a bench role, and Rice is likely to be the team’s everyday first baseman next season. Though it remains unclear if the Yankees will bring back Goldschmidt in free agency, the team still has to address a glaring weakness in its lineup.
The Yankees’ lineup is dominated by left-handed batters, and not all of them are as proficient against lefty pitchers as Cody Bellinger. With that in mind, New York is going to give 30-year-old utility player Amed Rosario reps at first base this spring, as reported by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.
“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 on Monday. “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. I think the plan, though, is for him to play third base against lefties instead of McMahon.”
The Yankees re-signed Rosario this offseason to a one-year, $2.5 million contract after acquiring the 30-year-old in a mid-season trade last season, with manager Aaron Boone joking that he should bring a first base glove this spring. Though Rosario has experience at many different positions, he’s never played a game at first base.
Rice will still be the Yankees primary first baseman, but giving a versatile option like Rosario reps at first base will give the team more flexibility next season, especially against left-handed pitchers.
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