The New York Yankees have some tough choices to make in the near future, particularly with Ben Rice. With Giancarlo Stanton's injury return looming, Rice could lose his job.
Rice has been the team's primary designated hitter and is having a breakout year. He is hitting .250 with a .876 OPS and nine home runs. He hit seven home runs in 50 games last season and has already surpassed that in 41 games this year. However, when Stanton returns, he will need a spot in the field. He can play first base and catcher, but both of those spots are taken.
Paul Goldschmidt is not going to be removed from first base, and Austin Wells is going to remain as the team's primary catcher. The Yankees have a need at third base with Oswaldo Cabrera injured now, and if Rice changed positions, he could have an everyday role when Stanton comes back.
Aaron Boone has already shot down the idea of Rice playing third base, but that was before Cabrera's injury. Now, Yankees' infielder J.C. Escarra has given the idea some new life. Rice and Escarra were taking groundballs at third base before Sunday's game against the New York Mets, according to New York Daily News. Rice claimed they were just doing it for fun, but Escarra noted how he has the tools to do it for real.
"He has the hands, and he definitely has the arm strength to play there," said Escarra per New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. "So you never know."
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Escarra has played third base, so he knows what it takes to do in the big leagues. He has made one appearance there for the Yankees, but has made many appearances in the hot corner en route to the big leagues.