Yankees Lose Soto Battle, But Find a Star of Their Own
The Yankees always knew keeping Juan Soto would be tough. His price tag was destined to be historic — but few imagined the Mets would swoop in with a record-shattering deal. Soto inked a 15-year, $765 million contract with the potential to top $800 million if he opts back in after 2029 — a number so staggering it barely feels real. While the Yankees reportedly tried to stay in the race, their crosstown rivals outbid them in the end.
But in a twist of fate — and thanks to some strong internal development — the Yankees may have found a left-handed slugger of their own: Ben Rice.
Soto’s Still Elite, As Expected
To be clear, Juan Soto remains one of the game’s elite bats. Through the opening stretch of 2025, he’s slashing .265/.410/.408 with a home run, four RBIs, and a 140 wRC+. He’s walking nearly 20% of the time, striking out less than 12%, and still showcasing the patience and plate discipline that make him so dangerous.
He hasn’t quite found his power stroke yet in Queens, but there’s little doubt it’ll show up before long.
Ben Rice Is Making Noise in the Bronx
While Soto adjusts to life with the Mets, Ben Rice is turning heads in the Bronx. The 26-year-old has burst onto the scene with a scorching .310/.431/.690 slash line, four home runs, five RBIs, and a 216 wRC+ through his first 13 games. That’s not a typo — he’s been one of the league’s most productive hitters to start the year.
Rice’s .381 isolated power and 97.9 mph average exit velocity (up nearly 8 mph from last year) tell the story of a player making real, impactful contact. His sixth-inning rocket against the Giants — a 113.2 mph blast — marked the hardest-hit ball of his career.
It’s Not a Fluke
The numbers suggest this breakout is real. Rice owns a 31% barrel rate and a jaw-dropping 72.4% hard-hit rate, putting him among the league leaders. Statcast places him in the 100th percentile for average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage — proof he’s not just getting lucky; he’s mashing.
This is the same player who raked his way through the minors — and now, he’s doing it on the big stage. If he stays healthy, Rice could be the surprise star the Yankees didn’t expect to need — or find.
While Soto garners headlines across town, Rice is quietly turning into a potential cornerstone in the Bronx — at a fraction of the price.
