{"id":68132,"date":"2025-06-08T08:11:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T08:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=68132"},"modified":"2025-06-08T08:11:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T08:11:27","slug":"new-york-yankees-insider-details-aaron-boones-unique-plan-to-address-ben-rice-giancarlo-stanton-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=68132","title":{"rendered":"New York Yankees insider details Aaron Boone’s unique plan to address Ben Rice-Giancarlo Stanton dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A New York Yankees insider has shed new light on how the team will likely try and keep Ben Rice<\/strong> in the lineup once Giancarlo Stanton makes his return to the team in the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

Youngster Ben Rice has been a key part of why the team owns the second-best record in the American League. He is third on the team in doubles (11), home runs (12), and runs (31). And has done a great job filling in for designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. However, the five-time All-Star\u2019s long-awaited season debut could come as soon as next week.<\/p>\n

Stanton\u2019s return after missing the entire season thus far creates a dilemma for Yankees manager Aaron Boone<\/strong>. However, in a new column this week, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino detailed the unique was the skipper will use Rice\u2019s versatility to keep his bat in the lineup often even after Stanton returns.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can begin by easing Stanton in and using Rice against right-handed pitching,\u201d Martino wrote. \u201cBeyond that, he can move Rice between first base and DH. Rice, a catcher by trade, had continued to work at that position before games with catching coordinator Tanner Swanson. He could start at catcher occasionally, but JC Escarra is Austin Wells\u2019 backup and shouldn\u2019t see his playing time significantly reduced.<\/p>\n

\u201cRice recently took ground balls at third base, but he is not a candidate to play there. The Yankees do not plan to use Rice at any defensive position other than first base and catcher.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, for Yankees fans worried Stanton\u2019s return could take a huge chunk out of Rice\u2019s playing time, it looks like the club has a lot of ways to deploy the 26-year-old. Including an outside chance of even playing at third base.<\/p>\n