SSTN Mailbag: Ben Rice, Third Base, And Around The League!

I can't really think of much that's more heartbreaking in a sports context. I wasn't watching the game live on Monday; I've been traveling for work, with a schedule that simply hasn't allowed me to watch any live baseball this week. When I got up at 4:30 AM on Tuesday, the first thing I looked up on my phone was the Yankee game, and immediately was greeted by the news of Oswaldo Cabrera's ugly injury. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that my heart dropped, even despite the Yankee win.

Sometimes, a player's popularity transcends their inherent abilities on the field. I've been an Oswaldo Cabrera fan since he was 19 years old. He was part of a group of middle infield prospects who generated great interest, though he was at the bottom of that list. Watching him play even at that young age, his energy and hustle were immediately evident on film, and I put a stake in the ground from a player evaluation standpoint: despite a lack of standout tools (besides some of the best hands in the system), I said that he was the guy most likely to turn in a big league career out of a group that included bigger names, like Oswald Peraza. I got it right, and I think it's because Cabrera's attitude and infectious energy allows him to maximize every drop of talent he has.

From his first day in the big leagues, Oswaldo Cabrera has been one of my favorite players to watch, regardless of whether he is a starting caliber player. I think it was telling how his teammates reacted to his injury on the field on Monday night. I can't help but feel for the guy. My initial reaction to the gruesome injury was that Oswaldo would never be the same, but the news that has followed since has been somewhat more positive. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I really hope he's able to resume his career.

As always, thanks for the great questions and keep them coming to SSTNReadermail@gmail.com. In this week's SSTN Mailbag, we'll discuss Ben Rice, third base, and look at team performances around the league! Let's get at it:

Mike H. asks: With the Yankees' struggles at 3B and the looming return of Giancarlo Stanton, I've been thinking about Ben Rice. I've seen some speculation about moving Ben Rice to 3B. Is this realistic and do you think he could play the position?

I understand the desire to find ways to shoehorn both Stanton and Rice into the lineup. The Yankees have continually stated that they remain committed to helping Rice stay at catcher on at least a part-time basis, but he's only logged time at first base and DH, aside from a few token garbage time innings at catcher this season. Rice has been an incredibly potent bat in the lineup, and it would be a shame to lose it when Stanton returns.

There is also some precedent for catchers moving to third base and experiencing success. In recent seasons, we've seen Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson convert from catching to play really good defense at the hot corner; Donaldson immediately became a monster at the plate upon making the switch full time. We have seen historical examples of this trend as well, with Joe Torre among the most prominent examples of catchers moving to third base.

On the surface, it makes some sense. Catching requires arm strength, quick releases, and reaction timing. However, catchers are often not particularly agile, and this matches Ben Rice's condition. Ben Rice does not have quick movements behind the plate, and his arm leaves something to be desired. I think there's a very good reason why the Yankees have placed Rice at first base as opposed to third base or the outfield. If Rice were even remotely capable of handling third base on even a part time basis, I think the Yankees would have tried it already. The fact that they haven't, when the team has proven very willing to make position changes on the fly, speaks volumes.

I share the Yankees' position; I don't think Ben Rice can handle third base.

Jeff B. asks: With Oswaldo down for likely the remainder of the season, what is the Yankees' most realistic move to cover 3B? Is it internal or is there something on the trade market that might make sense?

It's funny, the first two trade options that come to mind are players who were jettisoned in recent years, but make a varying degree of sense now: Miguel Andujar and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Both guys are free agents at the end of the year and are both on teams that likely will be sellers to varying degrees by the trade deadline. Neither guy is really a slam dunk, but both are upgrades over what the Yankees have in-house.

Andujar, years removed from a shoulder injury that really derailed his career, is basically performing the way I expected him to when he first came up from the minor leagues. He almost never strikes out or whiffs...he also doesn't walk hardly ever. He puts the ball in play, and is generally roping line drives around the field. Andujar's swing is not built to loft the ball like many modern sluggers, and that's okay; he makes enough hard contact to find holes in the defense and pop an occasional dinger. Andujar remains an adventure defensively, though he still has a very strong arm from both the outfield and at third base. In fact, Andujar is playing more third base than he has in quite some time, and while he's not good there, he can at least handle the position. I don't think Andujar's offensive performance is fluky, and it fills a Yankee need: good hitting from the right-side. Andujar would only make a prorated portion of his $3 million salary, so he's as good a fit as anyone on the trade market.

IKF is exactly who he has always been: a good defender with good range and an even poorer arm than Yankee fans remember. IKF is stretched at shortstop, but remains an excellent defensive third baseman. IKF is underwhelming at the plate, unless he gets on one of his patented BABIP-fueled hot streaks, but he runs the bases well and would fit as a stopgap. He's more expensive than Andujar, but it's not by much.

Both of those guys fit, but one of my favorite prospects is tearing up AAA at the moment: Jesus Rodriguez. He makes gobs of contact and is striking out less than he walks. He won't hit for much power, but his swing is built for line drives, and my eye tells me he's a good defensive third baseman with a strong arm. I don't think he's as good an option as Andujar, but I'd try him before going out and grabbing someone like IKF.

For me, I would try Rodriguez for a spell, but I think Andujar is likely the best fit on the market.

David asks: Can you take a look at the National League - who are the best teams over there right now?

We've seen the Padres; I think they're up there. Besides them, I think the Mets, Cubs, and Dodgers are all World Series contenders. I think that healthy, the Yankees compare favorably with all of them. For everyone who anointed the Dodgers before any games were played: just look at how injuries have ravaged their pitching staff. I noted before the season that while their pitching staff was deep, all of them had injury histories. That's playing out in the worst possible way right now.

I still think the Dodgers are the best team in baseball, but I don't think they are anything close to unbeatable. If the Yankees can get healthy and fill in 3B and maybe get another starter, I think they are every bit as formidable.