A pair of lefty Yankee sluggers have been named finalists for the Silver Slugger award.
Both Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger are up for the award after the league revealed the finalists on Thursday morning. Rice is looking to win the award for the first time in his career, while Bellinger is searching for his third Silver Slugger honor.
Rice enjoyed a career year in 2026, smashing 41 home runs and posting an .897 OPS, by far the Yankees' best offensive producer with Aaron Judge missing most of the season. Rice is nominated at the DH position, which makes winning the Silver Slugger a tall order since he is pitted against Yordan Alvarez, the trendy pick to win the AL MVP award after flirting with the Triple Crown this season.
Bellinger missed time due to injury in 2026, but still posted a .768 OPS and a 113 OPS+ in 132 games, swatting 17 home runs while batting .264. Other outfield nominees for the award include Randy Arozarena, Wilyer Abreu, Mike Trout, Riley Greene, Chandler Simpson, and Chase DeLauter.
Unsurprisingly, the Yankees are not nominated for the team Silver Slugger award, as their lineup struggled mightily without Judge. The nominees for that category include the resurgent White Sox, the Twins, Astros, and AL champion Rays.
The winners will be announced on Nov. 17
The winners will be announced on Nov. 17
