The New York Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon not primarily to support Anthony Volpe, but to reinforce their infield and reduce costly errors. This trade, made in 2024, was focused on shoring up defense behind Max Fried, one of the team’s groundball pitchers who demands reliable fielding. While McMahon’s arrival was intended to stabilize third base, experts believe it might also indirectly benefit Volpe’s defensive performance at shortstop.
McMahon’s Influence on Volpe’s Defensive Growth
Ryan Spilborghs, a former Rockies outfielder and current broadcaster, suggested on MLB Network Radio that McMahon’s presence could help Volpe return to his prior Gold Glove form. Spilborghs highlighted the value of playing alongside strong infield partners, stating,
“The range you’re going to get with McMahon… he’s played with really good shortstops—Trevor Story, and now a Gold Glover in Ezequiel Tovar. It’s not an accident that a shortstop wins a Gold Glove. Because the guy next to him was really good.” —Ryan Spilborghs, Broadcaster
This insight points to the left side of the infield operating as a cohesive unit, with each player’s skill complementing the other’s range and reliability.
Challenges Volpe Has Faced and How McMahon Could Help
After a breakout defensive year in 2023, Volpe has struggled with mental and mechanical inconsistencies in 2024. These difficulties prompted former MLB manager Joe Maddon to suggest that Volpe might benefit from a demotion to the minors to regain focus. By bringing in McMahon, one of the major league’s top third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved since 2021, the Yankees aim to stabilize their defense, easing the pressure on Volpe to help him regain confidence and consistency.
Potential Long-Term Impact of the Trade
Though the primary goal behind the Ryan McMahon Yankees Volpe trade was to protect Max Fried and improve third base defense, an unexpected upside could be a defensive revival for Volpe. If Volpe can recapture his previous effectiveness with support from McMahon, it would significantly strengthen the Yankees’ infield and overall team defense, making this trade a potentially pivotal moment in their 2024 season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Ryan McMahon?
A. Ryan Patrick McMahon, born on December 14, 1994, plays professional baseball as an infielder for the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Q. What did Ryan McMahon do?
A. For almost 20 years, Ryan McMahon has led the way in Indigenous comedy and storytelling. He aims to challenge the usual norms and create change through humor and Indigenous narratives.
Q. What is Ryan McMahon’s contract?
A. McMahon is due $44 million in the last three years of his six-year, $70 million deal signed in 2022. He’ll make $12 million in 2025, followed by $16 million in both 2026 and 2027. If McMahon is one of the top five MVP finalists in 2025, the 2027 season can be a player option.