Social media sounds off on Aaron Boone following another controversial decision

The New York Yankees lineup is once again under the spotlight, and manager Aaron Boone is at the center of it. For the second straight game, Boone has made the controversial decision to bench his hottest hitter, Ben Rice, in favor of veteran Paul Goldschmidt due to a left-handed pitcher being on the mound. The problem? Rice has been one of the best hitters in baseball to start the 2026 season. Platooning players has become more and more common in MLB over the years, but when you are platooning one of your best players, it raises eyebrows.

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Rice Has Been the Yankees Best Bat in 2026

There’s no debating it: Rice has been elite. He currently leads all of MLB in OPS, consistently producing at a level that has made him the most dangerous bat in the Yankees lineup. Power, on-base ability, and timely hitting have all been there. Simply put, he’s been the one player you don’t take out of the lineup.

Despite that, Boone is leaning into the traditional platoon logic. With a lefty on the mound, he’s opted to go with Goldschmidt, prioritizing matchups over current performance. It’s a decision rooted in analytics and historical splits—but one that’s becoming harder to justify given Rice’s production. Because at some point, the numbers in front of you matter more than the numbers on paper.

The Goldschmidt/Wells Factor

Also, what no one seems to want to mention is that even if the Yankees did choose to get Goldschmidt’s bat into the lineup against a lefty, why not use Ben Rice at catcher? Austin Wells has struggled offensively this season, and doesn’t hit lefties well either.

Goldy is a proven veteran and former MVP. He still carries respect and pedigree. But since the start of the 2025 season, he has not been producing at the same level as Rice, making the decision feel more like loyalty to experience than a reward for performance. Wells struggled in 2025 as well offensively, and still continues to see at-bats over Rice. And that’s where the frustration starts to build.

The Yankees have already dealt with offensive inconsistency early in the season. That’s what makes this decision stand out even more. When a lineup is searching for rhythm, removing your hottest bat—even for matchup reasons—feels like a risk. Especially when that bat has been carrying you.

Old School vs New Reality

This decision highlights a bigger debate in today’s game. Do you stick with platoon advantages and long-term data? Or do you ride the hot hand, regardless of matchup? Boone is clearly choosing the former. But situations like this make that approach look increasingly questionable.

In New York, decisions like this don’t go unnoticed. Fans and media are already questioning why a player leading the league in OPS isn’t in the lineup—especially in back-to-back games. And if the Yankees continue to struggle offensively, those questions will only get louder.

Aaron Boone is betting on matchups. But right now, the numbers say Ben Rice is the matchup. And if the Yankees don’t start producing more consistently, this decision won’t just be debated—it’ll be criticized as one that cost them.

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