The New York Yankees could be signaling a significant organizational shift with their message to Ryan McMahon.
The New York Yankees may finally be coming out of their slump, as they have now won three games in a row and most recently thumped the Kansas City Royals by a score of 15-1 on Tuesday night.
Finally, the Yankees' bats seems to be waking up, and while it's too early to officially proclaim that their back, the signs have certainly been positive.
But in the midst of New York's young winning streak, something interesting happen: the Yankees benched Ryan McMahon in back-to-back games.
On Tuesday evening, Amed Rosario manned third base, and the decision paid dividends, as he went 4-for-6 and smashed a pair of home runs. The night prior, Jose Caballero was over at the hot corner.
Anthony Volpe has been the starting shortstop each of the last two games, and after going 3-for-6 with a homer and two RBI on Tuesday, it seems hard to imagine Aaron Boone leaving him out of the lineup Wednesday.
So what does this mean for McMahon?
Well, the former All-Star is slashing just .190/.255/.307 with four long balls and 16 RBI over 150 plate appearances this season. He hasn't been good, and he owns a miserable .605 OPS since coming over to the Yankees at the trade deadline last summer.
Yes, we know that McMahon provides tremendous value defensively, but New York may be realizing that it simply cannot live with his bat regularly in the lineup.
New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images.As a result, the 31-year-old may be losing his job, this even though he is making $16 million this season and is in line to collect another $16 million in 2027.
The recently cost-conscious Yankees being okay with benching a player due $32 million the next two seasons? What world are we in?
Twenty years ago, that would have been just a normal event in the Bronx. But Hal Steinbrenner is no George. While New York's payroll has remained lofty, it has become more and more obvious that Hal is monitoring the finances with a fine-toothed comb.
The Yankees largely sat on the sidelines during the offseason, only re-signing Cody Bellinger and making some other minor, inexpensive moves. It was very unlike the Evil Empire, and it frustrated the fanbase.
But suddenly, the Yanks may finally realize that there is a sense of urgency to win a World Series now. Maybe 34-year-old Aaron Judge's unprecedented slump had something to do with it. Whatever the case may be, New York might actually be waking up and realizing that is window is closing.
And if the Yankees' organization really is headed in that direction, then McMahon may find himself riding the pine rather regularly in the coming months.
Volpe is making his case to reclaim his spot as New York's starting shortstop. Caballero has played too well to bench, so making him the primary third baseman could be an option (although I still say he is more valuable in a super-utility role).
Then, there is Rosario, whose .862 OPS in 95 plate appearances has done a phenomenal job of making his weak defense. The man has six homers and 20 RBI this season. That easily clears McMahon in a fraction of the playing time.
Basically, the Yankees absolutely have options, and it could mean the end for McMahon as a starter ... and a massive organizational shift.
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