New York Yankees fans, frustrated by DJ LeMahieu and Ben Rice’s underperformance, might be eager to welcome Anthony Rizzo back as a potential boost. However, is Rizzo truly the answer?
Before fracturing his right arm in mid-June, the 35-year-old first baseman was enduring a notably poor season. In 70 games, Rizzo posted a .223/.289/.341 slash line, with a 76 OPS+ and -0.5 WAR, according to Baseball Reference.
On paper, Rizzo appears to be an upgrade over the current first basemen. LeMahieu has struggled significantly, with a -1.5 WAR and a 49 OPS+. Rice, despite a promising start, has faltered recently, managing only three singles in his last 42 at-bats.
While Rizzo seems like a better option compared to LeMahieu, Rice’s recent performance has put him on par with Rizzo in OPS+ at 77. Additionally, Rice grounds into double plays less frequently, with one every 86 plate appearances compared to Rizzo’s one every 48.5.
The real issue isn’t which of these struggling players should man first base but rather who else might bring an average bat to the position.
ESPN New York’s Michael Kay has proposed that Austin Wells could be a solution. The 25-year-old catcher, a contender for the American League Rookie of the Year, has a .253/.346/.421 line and a 2.3 WAR. He has experience playing first base from college and summer league.
However, with the Yankees contending for the division title against the Baltimore Orioles, it’s unlikely they’ll take the risk of letting Wells adapt to first base in a high-stakes environment. Additionally, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. adjusting to third base, potential errors in his throws to Wells could make fans yearn for Rizzo’s seasoned glove.
Nonetheless, considering Wells for first base might be worth the gamble. As Kay suggested, “You almost have to ignore the fact that you’re in first place—or close to it—and you gotta make dynamic moves.”
