The New York Yankees kicked off their 2025 season on a strong note Thursday, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2, thanks to home runs from catcher Austin Wells—who made history as the first catcher to ever lead off Opening Day with a homer—and shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Meanwhile, in the eighth spot of the batting order, second-year designated hitter Ben Rice, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2021 draft out of Dartmouth College, went 1-for-2 with a walk in three plate appearances, filling in for the injured Giancarlo Stanton.
Stanton reported “severe” pain in both elbows during Spring Training, and updates on his condition have been mostly grim, with return estimates ranging from Memorial Day (May 26) to a potential absence for the entire 2025 season.
The slugger has been undergoing platelet-rich plasma injections in his elbows, a treatment aimed at accelerating healing using the patient’s own blood cells. For the first time on Thursday, reports indicated that the treatment was showing some positive results.
Who Will Protect Aaron Judge Without Stanton?
Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Stanton has shown “steady improvement,” which has been encouraging, but still offered no specific timeline for his return.
Stanton, a 35-year-old veteran with 429 home runs over 15 seasons, has been a key presence in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup, especially as a protector for Aaron Judge, who hit 62 home runs in 2022 with Stanton following him in the order, putting pressure on pitchers to throw strikes to Judge.
The question now is whether Ben Rice can fill that role. The answer is likely no, especially batting eighth. Reports suggest that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been actively seeking a trade to acquire a hitter who could replicate Stanton’s role in the lineup.
Luis Robert Jr. as a Trade Target
One possible trade target gaining attention is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., a 2023 All-Star. Despite missing 54 games last season due to a hip flexor strain, Robert hit 38 home runs and posted an impressive OPS of .857 in 2024. Before his MLB debut in 2020, he was ranked as the White Sox’s No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
A dynamic five-tool player, Robert also stole 23 bases in 2024 and won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, solidifying his value. The 27-year-old’s team-friendly six-year, $50 million contract extension with the White Sox, which includes two $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027, makes him a highly attractive target for contending teams looking for financial flexibility.
What Would It Take to Acquire Robert?
The price to land Robert, however, would be steep. To acquire him, the Yankees would likely need to offer up three highly valued prospects: outfielder Everson Pereira (No. 14 overall), middle infielder Roderick Arias (No. 7), and right-handed pitcher Cade Smith, a sixth-round pick in 2023.
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