Sometimes, subtraction adds the most value. While fans wept and rivals mocked, the Yankees pulled off the ultimate sleight of hand—trading away a generational talent and somehow emerging scarier. The Bronx didn’t just survive the shake-up—it swaggered right through it. And at the heart of this unexpected renaissance lies a single name whispered in disbelief across baseball: Juan Soto.

Juan Soto is one of the best batters in the game, and there is no doubt about that. And after his signing with the New York Mets, the Yankees had a big job of filling the hole. Looking at how the season is going, they have done that successfully. So, according to Joel Sherman, the best thing that happened to the Yankees was Juan Soto leaving their club.

While on the show with New York Post Sports, Joel Sherman was discussing how the whole offseason for the Yankees was about filling the hole left by Soto. He says, “It’s crazy to say you lose Soto, and you’re a better offense because Soto is such a great, scary hitter. But if your whole offense is Soto and Judge, this is a better version of it.”

He also says that the best way to replace a heavyweight is to make your welterweight punch above his weight class. This is exactly what Trent Grisham is doing for the New York Yankees. When you look at his performance till now, he has almost the same performance as Juan Soto. And with other players like Ben Rice, Jasson Dominguez, and Oswaldo Cabrera putting in good performances, the Yankees are top contenders again.

Call it irony or pure Yankee sorcery—losing Soto might just be the spark that lit the Bronx on fire. What was once a two-man show has morphed into a full-blown ensemble thriller. The so-called welterweights didn’t just show up—they hijacked the spotlight. And if this is what Plan B looks like, maybe the rest of MLB should start praying the Yankees keep “losing” stars.

Ben Rice powers on as Yankees juggle starting roles

Some teams pray for depth. The New York Yankees are being smothered by it. When every bat is hot and every glove has a case to play, the manager’s job starts to look more like traffic control. Amid this luxurious chaos, Ben Rice keeps slugging like a man who didn’t get the memo about lineup politics—turning crowded dugouts into crowded box scores.

Ben Rice has been a revelation for the Yankees, proving himself versatile and productive. His fifth-inning grand slam in a 12-2 win over the A’s was a highlight. Rice’s ability to play multiple positions, including first base and catcher, has been key to his impact.

His impressive performance, however, is causing lineup dilemmas for manager Aaron Boone. With four strong outfielders and a DH, finding room for everyone is difficult. Boone faces tough decisions, as Rice’s bat, coupled with his flexibility, is tough to leave out of the starting lineup.

Rice has delivered solid numbers this season. He’s proven effective in crucial moments, like his grand slam, and is making it hard for Aaron Boone to bench him. His ability to play various positions adds tremendous value, though it complicates the lineup.

Ben Rice’s versatility and clutch performance are undeniable, making him a force the Yankees can’t ignore. However, his rise has turned lineup management into an art of juggling fire. While manager Aaron Boone may long for a simpler solution, the “problem” of too much talent is a good one to have, at least for now. If this depth continues, perhaps the Yankees’ best problem is deciding which star will sit next. After all, a roster full of firepower is the kind of traffic jam every team would love to have.