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The finalists for the American League Silver Slugger Awards were announced on Thursday, and two Yankees are in contention for the prestigious honor. Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger both earned finalist status as the franchise looks ahead to future roster decisions.
Silver Slugger Finalists
Ben Rice finds himself competing at the designated hitter position after launching 41 home runs and posting a 149 wRC+, putting him in position to capture his first career award. Meanwhile, outfielder Cody Bellinger stands as a candidate to secure his third career Silver Slugger. Rice faces tough competition in his category, going up against American League MVP candidate Yordan Álvarez as reported by SNY.
Offseason Relief Pitching Strategy
The Yankees hold an interest in retaining David Bednar while also exploring the return of their own free-agent relief pitchers like Paul Blackburn and John Schreiber, according to analysis from the New York Daily News. However, building a competitive bullpen will require looking at external options on the market. Potential relief targets mentioned include Adrian Morejon, Raisel Iglesias, JoJo Romero, and Alex Vesia.
Spencer Jones Outlook for 2027
Outfielder Spencer Jones was examined as a potential X-factor for the team heading into the 2027 season in a report by MLB.com. The analysis highlighted his distinctive swing path and how it handles pitches located in the middle or lower parts of the strike zone, while also pointing out a notable vulnerability to high fastballs.
