The Yankees have started their preseason surrounded by rumors about moves and possible signings, but one of the most worrying issues was the role that Ben Rice will have after his impressive 2025 season. The young hitter took over the third game of the wild card series over veteran Paul Goldschmidt, a move that caught the attention of all of Major League Baseball
But it was not a decision by Aaron Boone without foundation, as Rice exploded in September with a solid average of .316, 25 hits, four home runs and 14 RBIs in just 22 games so for much of the campaign he was alternating between Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt so now the manager of ‘The Bronx Bombers’ has revealed his plan for 2026.
Aaron Boone details Ben Rice’s role for 2026 against left-handed pitchers
During a meeting, Aaron Boone stated the future of Ben Rice in the New York Yankees for the next season, according to information from Greg Joyce of The New York Post, the manager said he expects “Ben Rice to play a lot against left-handed starters next season”, marking a drastic change from 2025 when the team did not use him against this type of matchup.
But Boone went further and through Yankees Videos, he made it clear that he has a lot of confidence in Rice:
He’s one of those guys that gives everything. I saw him the other day at Yankee Stadium… I think he’s going to be one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball for a while
And Rice’s numbers at the end of the regular season support Boone’s decisions, as he has responded on the diamond with a .255 average, 26 home runs and 65 RBIs.
Why did Aaron Boone choose Rice over Goldschmidt in October?
Aaron Boone’s gamble in the third and decisive game against the Boston Red Sox was a turning point, as he chose Ben Rice over a former MVP with a long track record and postseason experience, giving all the confidence to a player who even hit a home run in his October debut.
Boone’s response when asked about the change was: “Ben Rice” and now that decision has been made in the hope that he can respond and contribute to a team that is in urgent need of a World Series title, which they have not won since 2009 and it has been 16 years of drought.
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