The 2025 MLB season is just days away from starting, and one of the biggest questions for the New York Yankees heading into the regular season is at leadoff.

With the New York Yankees expected to be without designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton for a significant portion of the 2025 season, the attention has turned to Ben Rice, who has been productive in spring training.

The 2025 season was always going to be a huge year for the New York Yankees’ player development, but Gerrit Cole’s season-ending injury, along with a few factors, put even more pressure on it as we approach Opening Day.

The New York Yankees have had a reputation for piecing together a quality bullpen with reclamation projects in recent years, and although it was a solid unit in 2024, there was a lack of strikeouts.

Spring training games are underway for the New York Yankees, and while there is optimism surrounding the team after what is viewed as a good pivot from losing out on Juan Soto, the question regarding third base is still present.

When the New York Yankees lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets, they swiftly pivoted and signed left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract.