The New York Yankees are being predicted to make a big lineup change.
The New York Yankees clobbered the San Francisco Giants in their season opener on Wednesday night, winning by a score of 7-0.
Every Yankee that played had a hit other than Aaron Judge, who went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. When you can score seven runs without Judge getting on base, you are certainly in good shape.
That being said, entering the campaign, many pointed out several weak links in New York's lineup, including Ryan McMahon over at third base.
The Yankees acquired McMahon at the trade deadline last year and watched as the former Colorado Rockies All-Star slashed just .208/.308/.333 with four home runs and 18 RBI over 185 plate appearances in the Bronx last season.
McMahon did go 1-for-3 with a couple of RBI on Wednesday evening, but his lifetime .662 OPS away from Coors Field indicates that he probably isn't much of a slugger.
So, should New York replace him?
Jim Bowden of The Athletic seems to think the Yanks will do just that midway through the season, predicting that top shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. will replace McMahon over at the hot corner at some point during the first half.
New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images."Yankees’ top prospect George Lombard Jr. is called up before the All-Star break and becomes the everyday third baseman for New York for the remainder of the season," Bowden wrote.
The chances of this actually happening seem slim to none for a couple of reasons.
First of all, Lombard clearly needs another year of seasoning. He slashed just .215/.337/.358 at Double-A last season, and while he showed flashed in Spring Training this year, he only hit .179.
And would the Yankees really promote Lombard just to play him out of position? It doesn't seem that likely.
Not only that, but McMahon is making $16 million this season and has another $16 million coming to him next year. Unless New York can rehome the 31-year-old, there is absolutely no way it will bench a player making that much money.
We know how carefully Hal Steinbrenner has been monitoring the payroll in recent years, so it's highly doubtful that he will be okay with Aaron Boone sitting McMahon.
It's also important to note that while McMahon may struggle at the plate, he brings Gold Glove-caliber defense over at third base.
I absolutely think Lombard has a bright future in the Bronx, but I also don't think he will be up in the majors so soon ... and especially not at a corner infield spot.
Yankees Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Yankees. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.