Non-Munetaka Murakami Japanese slugger named option for Yankees, but it impacts Ben Rice originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Reports have indicated that the New York Yankees could be in the mix for a first baseman, although it might not make too much sense because of how well Ben Rice has played over the past year or so.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRice should probably be getting everyday at-bats, especially with what he did offensively in 2025.
However, according to Kiley McDaniel, the ESPN analyst, the Yankees are expected to be in the mix for a first baseman, and he believes there’s a possibility they could land Kazuma Okamoto, a third baseman who can also play first base.
“Okamoto could prove to be a cost-effective alternative to Pete Alonso (who projects for low nine figures) and can point to Yoshida's $90 million deal as a comp. The Mets, Astros, Yankees, Pirates, Marlins, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks all seem to be in on the first base/designated hitter market to various degrees -- and could be looking for a cheaper option than signing Alonso, Kyle Schwarber or Murakami, where Okamoto is the fallback option,” he wrote.
Okamoto might be viewed as a designated hitter in Major League Baseball as well, but he’s still only 29 years old, so teams will likely want him to play the field for at least a few more seasons.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn his 11 seasons in the NPB, he has hit 248 home runs and driven in 717 RBIs. If New York can have him with Rice, that’s a better plan.
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