The New York Yankees are winning enough games to stay comfortable, but Greg Joyce’s first-third evaluation revealed a roster problem they can no longer hide behind the standings.
Ryan McMahon is one of the biggest disappointments on the roster.
In a New York Post breakdown of the Yankees’ best, worst, and most surprising developments through their first 55 games, Joyce listed McMahon as a co-LVP (Least Valuable Player) along with reliever Camilo Doval.
It’s McMahon’s numbers that made him stand out for all the wrong reasons. On Wednesday, he was batting .190 with a .562 OPS and a 58 OPS-plus, the lowest among Yankees regulars. That production has made for a daily grind for a player tasked with stabilizing third base and lengthening the lineup.
The Yankees can survive one cold stick. You can’t just ignore an everyday player that doesn’t really provide much offense and loses defensive value.
Ryan McMahon Has Become a Daily Lineup Issue
GettyRyan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees flips his bat after striking out to end the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 12, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
McMahon’s struggles affect the Yankees almost every night. The club didn’t bring him in last summer to be an asset in the bottom part of the order. That got him in because he brought left-handed power, stability in the infield, and a steady glove at third base.
That profile just hasn’t shown up enough through the first third of the season.
A low batting average doesn’t always tell the whole story about a player’s worth. Some hitters can offset strikeouts with walks, power, or great defense. McMahon hasn’t done enough in those areas to help ease the offensive drought.
His .562 OPS shows the little impact he’s had when the Yankees need length behind their top bats. That weakness gives opposing pitchers an easier place to pitch in the bottom half of the order, especially in tight games where one extra base runner can change the game.
The Yankees have had enough good performances elsewhere to keep moving forward. Cam Schlittler was named team MVP after a dominant start to the season, and Ryan Weathers has been one of the rotation’s biggest positive surprises. Those developments have helped mask the flaws.
The Yankees Can’t Just Rely on His Glove
GettyRyan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees in action against the Kansas City Royals during their game at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The larger issue with McMahon is that the Yankees aren’t even getting the standard defensive safety net. Joyce noted that McMahon entered Wednesday with minus -3 Defensive Runs Saved, ranking 16th among 19 qualified third basemen.
If McMahon had kept playing top-level defense, patience for the Yankees would be easier to justify. Instead, he’s found it harder to defend his value on both ends. That leaves the front office in a bit of a bind as the trade deadline slowly creeps closer.
Doval’s struggles also factor in. His 5.14 ERA has made it difficult for the Yankees to know what they are going to get from him in high-leverage situations. The bullpen can shift based on matchups, usage, and deadline acquisitions.
McMahon’s case is a little different in that he’s in the lineup every day.
The Yankees don’t have to panic, but they do need answers. They have time because of their record. Their standards shouldn’t afford McMahon an endless runway.
The next third of the season could determine if he is a turnaround story or one of the clearest reasons the Yankees shop for another infield solution before the deadline.
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