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Early MLB trade deadline preview: Who might be traded?
Ben Rice has emerged as the Yankees' leading player this season, recently batting leadoff. His ability to take walks and deliver crucial hits has impressed teammates, including Aaron Judge.
NEW YORK â Ben Rice found himself batting leadoff Sunday afternoon, at a time when Yankees Universe is calling for more.
More opportunities for Rice to impact a game.
And less of a chance that heâs parked on the bench against certain lefty starters, waiting for a leveraged turn at-bat.
âItâs just been impressive to see him take his walks when he can. And come up with the big hit when we need it,ââ said Aaron Judge, following a 7-0 victory against the Royals.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Lobelâs Pastrami Fries at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Sweet P Bakery at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Ben Rice has become the Yankees' leading player due to his consistent ability to take walks and deliver key hits during games.
Ben Rice batted leadoff in the recent game against the Royals.
Aaron Judge praised Ben Rice for his impressive ability to take walks and come up with big hits when needed.
Ben Rice has significantly impacted the Yankees' lineup by providing more opportunities to score and reducing the chances of being benched against lefty starters.

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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Fuku Lucky Fries at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table pasta plates at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Nuchas empanadas at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Mister Softee apple pie nachos at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table mozzarella en carrozza at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Streetbird sticky que chicken sandwich at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Bondi Sushi Bar at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Brooklyn Dumpling Shop at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Lobelâs USDA prime steak sandwich at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; MVP burger at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Colony Grill pizza at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Treathouse at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Nuchas empanadas at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroni makes an affogato (Mr. Softee vanilla panna, Nutella, espresso) at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Lobelâs Pastrami Fries at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Sweet P Bakery at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Fuku Lucky Fries at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table pasta plates at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Nuchas empanadas at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Mister Softee apple pie nachos at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table mozzarella en carrozza at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroniâs Parm to Table at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Streetbird sticky que chicken sandwich at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Bondi Sushi Bar at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Brooklyn Dumpling Shop at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Lobelâs USDA prime steak sandwich at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; MVP burger at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Colony Grill pizza at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Treathouse at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Nuchas empanadas at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Christian Petroni makes an affogato (Mr. Softee vanilla panna, Nutella, espresso) at the Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
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Mar 31, 2026; Bronx, NY, USA; Yankee Stadium concessions preview.
And the Rice-Judge dynamic atop the order ought to get some play.
For a fourth straight game, Rice hit a home run as the Yanks â for the second straight day â battered a Kansas City club now riding a seven-game losing streak.
Three of Riceâs last four homers have been hit versus lefty starters, including Sundayâs second-inning solo shot off Cole Ragans.
Apr 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) and center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
But go back to Riceâs first time up Sunday, when he drew a full-count walk against the Royalsâ lefty, which set up Judgeâs sixth homer in his last eight games.
Riceâs âreally long, grind-it-outââ plate appearance, per manager Aaron Boone, helped the Yanks to a 2-0 lead â the first time in five starts that Ryan Weathers had any runs to work with.
Weathers blanked KC into the eighth inning to earn his first win, and the Yanks (13-9) completed a third straight, three-game sweep of the Royals (7-15) dating to last season.
After an off day, the Yankees go into New England â from where Rice hails â for a series against the Red Sox, with two lefties due to make Boston starts.
Rice, batting .333 against lefties (6-for-18), canât be on the bench for a minute at Fenway Park.
Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Viewing the struggling Ragans (0-4, 6.00 ERA) as more a neutral starter, Boone said he âwanted to get some of our leftiesââ in the lineup, with Rice (as DH), Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon starting.
Out of the No. 5 spot, Grisham crashed a three-run homer in the fifth, capping the Yanksâ seven-run outburst against Ragans, who also walked eight Yanks in 4.1 innings.
But for the first time this year, it was Rice atop the order.
âBennyâs swinging it about as good as anyone in the league and I wanted him on top there today,ââ said Boone, forced to wait through a two-hour, 45-minute rain delay before seeing it.
Grisham became the primary leadoff hitter last year and this season, mainly against righty starters, but Rice started 21 games at leadoff in 2025.
âI like leading off. Itâs something Iâm comfortable with,ââ said the always amenable Rice, who doesnât see any reason to change his approach behind Judge.
And why change anything now?
Apr 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a two run home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Over his last 18 games, Rice is batting .358, with a 1.413 OPS.
âYou canât practice (getting) experience with it, right?ââ Rice said of learning to hit lefties more consistently. âIâve just got to continue to get the reps, swing at good pitches, work good at-bats.ââ
Rice ought to get that chance more often, while batting ahead of Judge.
With a combined 17 home runs, Judge (9) and Rice (8) are MLBâs current leading team tandem, and five of Judgeâs homers have been struck in the first inning.
Rice leads the team with 18 walks.
âI know heâs going to be on base a lot, heâs going to make my job easier,ââ said Judge. â(Thereâll) definitely be some headaches for some opposing staffs.
âHeâs at the top of the league right now.ââ
Believing that Rice is currently âone of the really outstanding hitters in this league,ââ Boone might be swayed by the Rice-Judge dynamic.
On Sunday, âit definitely had that feel to it that you better be on top of your game out of the chute,ââ said Boone. âJust two heavy at-bats against you right away.ââ
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Ben Rice is becoming a dangerous hitter in Yankeesâ lineup