Without Paul Goldschmidt, the New York Yankees will need someone to platoon with Ben Rice at first base.
Manager Aaron Boone recently said that Amed Rosario will work to become a viable option at the position, but he's better suited in the middle infield.
Rice had a breakout season offensively in 2025 and can also play catcher. If and when Rice steps in behind the plate, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter thinks the Yankees should give former Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Rhys Hoskins a one-year deal.
"Veteran Rhys Hoskins failed to live up to the two-year, $34 million deal he signed with the Brewers, but he is still a legitimate power threat, and his.882 OPS in 1,012 career plate appearances against lefties makes him the ideal target for the Yankees," Reuter wrote.
Hoskins had 12 home runs and a.748 OPS in 328 plate appearances with the Brewers last season.
Backup plan if Hoskins signs elsewhere
If Hoskins opts not to sign with New York, Reuter listed 41-year-old Justin Turner as a backup plan for the Yankees. Turner saw limited playing time with the Chicago Cubs last season and posted a poor.602 OPS with just three home runs in 80 games.
Surely, there are other right-handed hitting options out there that can produce more than Turner would as a bench player with the Yankees.
Ty France is 10 years younger than Turner and just won the American League Gold Glove Award at first base.
Wilmer Flores' defense at first is shaky at best, but he still has some pop left in his bat. Flores hit 16 or more home runs in four of his six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, and should be relatively cheap to sign.
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