Giancarlo Stanton's impending return will have complicated effect on Yankees lineup

After losing Juan Soto in the winter, questions were asked of the Yankees offense coming into 2025. While general manager Brian Cashman made savvy additions with Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, many still thought it was not enough. As it seems, they could not have been more wrong.

The Yankees have seen production from all parts of the lineup this year, leading the league in home runs, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Aaron Judge has led the way again, currently batting just under .400 with 19 homers, 48 RBI, and an OPS over 1.200. Those are video game type numbers. New guys Bellinger and Goldschmidt have been as good, if not better, than expected. Additionally, Ben Rice and Trent Grisham have broken out in a big way since becoming everyday players, with the latter currently putting together a case to start for the American League in the All-Star Game.

Not to mention this is all in the absence of big-time slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who has not played since last season after dealing with issues in both elbows.

The 35-year-old Stanton is an incredibly influential figure for the Yankees on and off the field, providing heavy power behind Aaron Judge and a veteran presence in the locker room. Lately, he has been in the news for how he responded to the Yankees receiving their AL Championship ring, with Bryan Hoch reporting that Stanton said, "This isn't the one we wanted" upon receiving the gift.

Stanton is making steady progress towards a return, as he started to take live ABs earlier this month. He has continued that throughout May, and Brian Cashman, speaking on MLB Network Radio, has said that he could commence a rehab assignment "soon."

What will happen to Yankees' lineup when Giancarlo Stanton returns?

When Stanton does return to the Bronx, he will become the everyday DH. He will likely need a week or two to get his timing down, as he has shown that he can struggle when first coming back from injury. The numbers may be down for a while, but when Stanton gets right, he is a truly ferocious hitter, especially in October.

However, Stanton getting regular at-bats is a little bit of a double-edged sword, as that means a fan favorite will likely see his playing time slashed.

Ben Rice is currently the everyday DH, and he has made quite the impression over the course of the first few months of the season; he is slashing .242 while pitching in with 11 homers and an .851 OPS. Those are very good numbers for his first proper season in the major leagues.

Stanton will not see any time in the field. Those days are behind him. As for Rice, his defensive versatility is limited. The only position he can play regularly at the big league level is first base, and Paul Goldschmidt has proved himself indispensable to this Yankees lineup. Rice has seen sporadic time at catcher in the late innings of blowout games, but it's a stretch to say he will see any regular playing time there ahead of either one of Austin Wells or JC Escarra.

So, unfortunately, Rice will likely spend most of his days coming on as a pinch-hitter. He will also fill in for Goldschmidt or Stanton whenever they need an off day. On the bright side, it's a testament to the well-roundedness of this team that a player of Rice's caliber won't see everyday at-bats. In terms of problems, this one is arguably the best you could have: too many good players.