ATLANTA — Tarik Skubal views the strike zone differently than robot umpires.
“I have this thing where I think everything is a strike until the umpire calls it a ball,” Detroit’s AL Cy Young Award winner said ahead of his start for the American League in the All-Star Game.
MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019 and will use it in an All-Star Game for the first time this summer. Each team gets two challenges and retains the challenge if it is successful.
“Pitchers think everything is a strike. Then you go back and look at it, and it’s two, three balls off,” Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, starting his second straight All-Star Game for the National League, said. “We should not be the ones that are challenging it.”
MLB sets the top of the automated strike zone at 53.5% of a batter’s height and the bottom at 27%, basing the decision on the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. That contrasts with the rule book zone called by umpires, which says the zone is a cube.
“I did a few rehabs starts with it. I’m OK with it. I think it works,” said three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. “Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve should have different sized boxes. They’ve obviously thought about that. As long as that gets figured out, I think it’ll be fine.”
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred anticipates the system will be considered by the sport’s 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives.
Many pitchers have gravitated to letting their catchers and managers trigger ball/strike appeals. Teams won 52.2% of their challenges during the spring training test. Batters won exactly 50% of their 596 challenges and the defense 54%, with catchers successful 56% of the time and pitchers 41%.
Hall of Famer Joe Torre, an honorary AL coach, favors the system. After his managing career, he worked for MLB and helped supervised expanded video review in 2014.
“You couldn’t ignore it with all the technology out there,” he said. “You couldn’t sit and make an excuse for, ‘Look at what really happened’ the next day.”
Now 84, Torre recalled how his Yankees teams benefitted at least twice from blown calls in the postseason, including one involving the strike zone.
With the 1998 World Series opener tied and the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh inning, Tino Martinez took a 2-2 pitch from San Diego’s Mark Langston that appeared to be a strike but was called a ball by Richie Garcia. Martinez hit a grand slam on the next pitch for a 9-5 lead, and the Yankees went on to a four-game sweep.
Asked whether he was happy there was no robot umpire then, Torre grinned and said: “Possibly.”
Then he added without a prompt: “Well, not to mention the home run that Jeter hit.”
His reference was to Derek Jeter’s home run in the 1996 AL Championship Series opener, when 12-year-old fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall to snatch the ball above the glove over Baltimore right fielder Tony Tarasco.
ATLANTA — National League All-Star manager Dave Roberts said including Milwaukee rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on his team was “an easy answer” despite complaints from some players over his inclusion after just five big league appearances.
“If it brings excitement, attention to our game, then I’m all about it,” Roberts said before the Home Run Derby.
“I think for me, kind of my North Star is the All-Star Game should be the game’s best players,” the Los Angeles Dodgers manager added before also addressing the other side of the argument by adding “It’s about the fans and what the fans want to see.”
Misiorowski has pitched in only five games, a record low for an All-Star, creating a debate between those who say the game is for the most deserving players and those who say the game is for the fans.
The 23-year-old created an instant stir when he threw a 100.5 mph fastball for his first pitch in the big leagues. Oh, and for good measure, he opened that debut on June 12 against St. Louis by throwing five no-hit innings before leaving with cramping in the Brewers’ 6-0 win.
The 6-foot-7 rookie is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA and has 33 strikeouts with only 12 hits allowed in 25 2/3 innings. It’s an impressive debut, but some players still believe the right-hander hasn’t been in the game long enough to merit All-Star consideration over more established players.
Philadelphia’s Trea Turner was outspoken in his criticism of the decision to add Misiorowski to the team when Phillies’ left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who is 8-2 with a 2.50 ERA, didn’t make the team. The Phillies also lobbied for left-hander Ranger Suárez (7-3, 1.94).
“What a joke,” Turner told reporters.
Misiorowski said he wasn’t offended.
“They’re not upset with me,” he said, adding he is as surprised as anyone to find himself in Atlanta for the game.
“The last five weeks have been insane,” Misiorowski said. “I thought the All-Star break would be a chance to sit down and reflect. Now we’re here.”
Turner’s teammate, All-Star Kyle Schwarber, said the attempt by Phillies players to speak up for Sánchez and Suárez “was not an attack at Misiorowski by any means. It’s an honor for him that he’s here and it should be an honor for him. It’s not his fault that he’s only pitched five games and he got named.”
Schwarber said Misiorowski could be an All-Star “every year that he pitches. It’s just more of the fact of our guys were having some really good years and some pretty good every day starts and numbers. You want them to feel like they’re gonna get represented the way that they should be.”
Schwarber added that he would likely talk to Misiorowski during All-Star week and would tell him “he’s doing a great job at what he’s doing and he’s going to be a perennial All-Star for years to come.”
Roberts said he plans to bring Misiorowski into the game as early as the fifth inning. “And it’s going to be electric,” Roberts said. “So the fans, the media, you’re going to love it.”
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, 37, is on his 11th All-Star roster, this time as a legend pick by commissioner Rob Manfred. When asked about the conflicting opinions about Misiorowski, Kershaw said “I don’t think it’s conflicting. I think everybody wants the best players here.”
San Francisco right-hander Robbie Ray, 33, said Misiorowski has “an electric arm. He’s a special talent and I’m excited to watch him pitch.”
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, who is serving on Roberts’ staff and has experience selecting an All-Star roster, said there’s room for a player as inexperienced as Misiorowski to find a spot in the showcase.
“You know what? It’s an exhibition game,” Snitker said. “He’s another great talent. ... There are some guys that are very deserving. It is what it is.”
Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs' summer additions officially have numbers with their new club.
Henry Thrun was the first newly acquired player to confirm what number he'd be wearing with the Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old revealed on Monday afternoon during a Zoom media availability that he'd be donning the number three.
The defenseman wore the number with the San Jose Sharks before being traded to Toronto in exchange for Ryan Reaves. Thrun also had the number while captain at Harvard University. He was a big Zdeno Chara (who wore 33) fan growing up, which could be the reason behind the number.
Matias Maccelli, whom the Maple Leafs acquired from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a conditional 2027 third-round pick, will wear 63, the same number he wore with Utah. The playmaking forward scored 18 points (eight goals and 10 assists) in 55 games last season, one year after tallying 57 points in 82 games.
Nicolas Roy will wear 55 with the Maple Leafs. He wore number 10 with the Vegas Golden Knights, however, the number is retired in Toronto courtesy of Maple Leafs legends Syl Apps and George Armstrong.
Toronto acquired the 28-year-old in a sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner in late June. Roy had 15 goals and 16 assists in 71 games last season with the Golden Knights.
Michael Pazzetta will wear number 61 with his hometown team, a number previously worn by Jacob Quillan. The 27-year-old forward signed a two-year, $1.63 million contract on July 1. He didn't register a point in 25 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
Travis Boyd, who signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with Toronto on July 1, will wear the number 72 with the Maple Leafs. Boyd also wore 72 during his last stint with the Maple Leafs in 2021. The 31-year-old played most of last season with the AHL's Iowa Wild, scoring 53 points in 63 games.
According to The Hockey News' Karine Hains, the Maple Leafs will begin their season on October 8 inside Scotiabank Arena against the Montreal Canadiens. The full NHL schedule will be revealed on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.
The National League is led by a trio of Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes is on the mound first.
It’ll be a key moment for the NL as it has only won one of the last 11 All-Star Games against the American League.
Leading the way for the AL alongside Raleigh is New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and four Detroit Tigers: Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, Javier Baez and starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.
Here’s where to watch the clash between the league’s top stars:
When is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
The All-Star Game is set for Tuesday, July 15.
What time is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT.
Where is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, is hosting the game for the first time.
Where to watch the 2025 MLB All-Star Game on TV
The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Where to stream the 2025 MLB All-Star Game online
The game will be available to stream on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports mobile app.
Who are the 2025 MLB All-Star Game starters?
These are the players starting for the AL and NL:
American League
C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
2B: Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
3B: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays* (replacement)
Meanwhile, speculation persists that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving could have a bigger move in store to offset some of the offense lost with Marner's departure.
Last week, Sportsnet's Luke Fox noted the Leafs have the cap space to add another top-six winger but lack tradeable assets, such as first-round picks and desirable prospects. He claimed there has been some talk of Treliving peddling a defenseman, such as Brandon Carlo or Morgan Rielly, provided the latter agrees to waive his no-movement clause.
Rielly might have more value in the trade market, but it's unlikely he'll agree to be moved. Carlo's eight-team no-trade list makes him easier to shop, but he might not fetch a top-six forward.
Meanwhile, wishful thinking persists among some Leafs fans over a possible reunion with Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. The Hockey News’ David Alter doesn't completely rule it out but doubts the Flames will give up their first-line center.
A more realistic option could be found via free agency. Alter recently noted the availability of versatile forward Jack Roslovic, who tallied 22 goals and 39 points last season with the Carolina Hurricanes. Fox indicated that the 28-year-old UFA has been linked to the Leafs.
Turning to Minnesota, the contract impasse between the Wild and Marco Rossi shows no sign of ending. The 23-year-old center completed his entry-level contract and lacked arbitration rights.
Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribuneindicates Wild GM Bill Guerin holds the leverage in this standoff. She also reported that the two sides have exchanged contract offers, with the Wild making short- and long-term proposals.
Rossi is eligible to sign an offer sheet with a rival team, but Guerin has indicated his club will match any offer.
The Wild have just over $10 million in cap room for this season. Rossi is a promising center, but it's doubtful a rival club will attempt to sign him to anything exceeding $10 million.
A trade is possible, and Rossi has been a frequent fixture in the rumor mill since last summer. However, Guerin maintains his preference is to sign the youngster to a new contract.
With the 2025 college football season just weeks away, it's time to re-familiarize yourself with the myriad transfers that happened during the offseason.
Witherspoon was the No. 7 rated player on Baseball America’s 2025 draft rankings, so for Boston to get him outside the top 10 is pretty good value.
He posted a 10-4 record with a 2.65 ERA, 124 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 16 starts (95 innings) for the Sooners last season.
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Before the draft, only one of the Red Sox’ top seven prospects (per MLB.com’s rankings) was a pitcher. So it wasn’t too surprising that Boston took a pitcher with eight of its first 10 picks in the draft.
What do the experts think of the Red Sox taking Witherspoon at No. 15? Here’s a roundup of grades.
“The Red Sox were tied to the second tier of college pitching and likely did not expect Witherspoon to still be on the board at this point, so terrific value for a team that has had a bit more success developing pitching in recent years.”
“I had Witherspoon as the top-ranked righty in the class — blame it on Bremner’s uneven year and Gage Wood’s shoulder injury. He has a deceptively short arm stroke that he uses to chuck a full arsenal, including mid-to-upper-90s fastballs and three breaking pitches (slider, curve, and cutter). This is good value at pick 15.”
“Oklahoma right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, projected to go No. 9 by USA TODAY Sports, falls to No. 15 for the Boston Red Sox. He is MLB Pipeline’s No. 10-ranked draft prospect.
“The Red Sox get good value in Witherspoon, who boasts a big fastball that peaks at 99 mph. His fastball has a 65 grade, according to MLB Pipeline. Witherspoon also has three plus secondary offers in his slider, cutter and curveball, which are all 60-grade pitches.
“Witherspoon spun a 2.65 ERA with the Sooners in 2025 and was one of the top pitchers in college baseball.”
Byram, 24, had been receiving a lot of attention on the trade market, and was one of the most viable options available on the back end. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound left defenseman registered seven goals and 38 points to go along with a plus-11 last season for the Sabres, and he has 33 goals and 110 points in 246 regular season games between the Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him fourth overall in 2019.
The Penguins have a glaring need on the left side of their blue line, so it might have made sense for Pittsburgh to pursue Byram in the RFA market. Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas made it known in his end-of-season press conference that he wasn't very interested in offer sheeting, and with Byram going to arbitration to cut that route off, any move for him would have involved a trade-then-sign.
As of now, Pittsburgh has Ryan Graves, Parker Wotherspoon, Ryan Shea, Alexander Alexeyev, and prospect Owen Pickering lined up on the depth chart for the left side. With RFA and UFA options dwindling, they will likely look to the cast they've already assembled for improvement.
The best player in baseball right now is still a fan at heart.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani wanted to take home a Barry Bonds bobblehead of his own as the Giants celebrated the franchise legend during Saturday’s rivalry game, San Francisco broadcaster Mike Krukow told KNBR’s “Murph and Markus” morning show Monday.
According to Krukow, several bobbleheads were being given to Giants employees postgame. Ohtani was in a group that walked by the souvenirs, and one of the men in the group requested a bobblehead for the National League’s home run leader.
“He handed the bobblehead off to Shohei Ohtani,” Krukow explained (h/t SFGATE). “He wanted the Barry Bonds bobblehead. Isn’t that a cool story?”
Ohtani started on the mound for the Dodgers on Saturday for the first time at Oracle Park. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out four.
San Francisco pursued Ohtani in MLB free agency back in 2023. The Dodgers ultimately won the bidding war, and currently sit 5.5 games up in the NL West.
Ohtani is one of the best shows in all of baseball, but he isn’t above asking for a Barry Bonds bobblehead.
“I guess,” Looney said when Thompson II asked him if Post was the final straw for him. “I wouldn’t say it like that, but it was anybody but me it seemed like at this point. It wasn’t no one moment. Even this year, probably the playoffs. We going up against Steven Adams. This is what I do. They’re not really giving me the chance to really let me do what I do.
“It’s like, ‘All right, y’all don’t trust me? I thought y’all trusted me.’ They put me at the end in Game 7, it’s like why’d we have to wait for that point?”
Looney played just 9.3 minutes per game in the seven-game series against the Houston Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs. In a Game 6 loss, Looney played just two minutes as Houston forced a do-or-die Game 7.
Meanwhile, Post played 17 minutes per game during that series.
While Looney has been the reliable force the Warriors could depend on whenever, he reached a point where it was too much.
“Nah, you get sick of that at some point,” Looney told Thompson II. “When you prove yourself the first four, five years, all right, cool. But after 10 years of it, it’s like, all right. You either trust me or you don’t.”
“I just know it’s never personal with Steve,” Looney said. “He’s going to do whatever is best to try to win. It ain’t just me. He’s done this to everybody. I might’ve been the one it was happening to the most because I was here the longest. I know it’s not personal. He just wants to win.
“You can’t be mad because the results showed that. It usually worked. You talk about sacrifice and win, he’s going to really test that sacrifice part.”
As a 10-year NBA vet, Looney understands the business side of the league. And in the end, regardless of the jersey he’s wearing, he’ll always be a Warriors legend in Dub Nation’s eyes.
Being the first overall pick of the NHL draft comes with lofty expectations, and that’s normal; it comes with the territory, but not all first overall picks will be generational talents and point-producing machines. The Montreal Canadiens had the first-overall pick in 2022 when the draft was held on their turf at the Bell Centre, and that brings yet another dose of attention to a player.
The lucky recipient of those expectations and heightened scrutiny was 18-year-old Slovakian left winger Juraj Slafkovsky. Since then, the media and fans alike have been keeping a close eye on his development.
The Habs wasted no time throwing the youngster in the deep end as he was made to start in the NHL right away, but his rookie season was cut short by a shoulder injury, and he only played 39 games that year, picking up an underwhelming 10 points.
In 2023-24, he had an excellent second half of the season, becoming a mainstay on the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. He gathered 50 points in 82 games, an output that most were satisfied with for his sophomore season.
That marked increase in production meant that expectations were raised once again before the 2024-25 campaign and before the puck dropped on the season, Slafkovsky admitted he had set objectives for himself in his third season, but refused to reveal them. In the end, in 79 games, he put up 51 points, and it wasn’t the kind of progress most had in mind, including the 6-foot-3 and 225-pound winger. At the end of the year, when he was asked if he had reached the expectations he had set for himself, he replied: What do you think?
He hadn’t, but the start of his career is by no means a disaster. In his three campaigns, he has suited up for 200 games and picked up 111 points. That’s a 0.56 point-per-game average for a player who wasn’t necessarily picked to fill the net.
Fifty-one years before they picked Slafkovsky with the first-overall pick, the Canadiens had drafted local favourite Guy Lafleur. The legend in the making had been a driving force in the LHJMQ, scoring 379 points in just 118 games, a 3.2 points-per-game average. Many saw Lafleur as a generational talent, the man who would lead the Canadiens to the promised land time and time again.
His first three seasons weren’t all that impressive, however, since he picked up 175 points in 215 games. A 0.81 point-per-game average, much less than what he had been producing at the junior level, and Lafleur was a player who had been picked to fill the net, unlike Slafkovsky. Still, the Canadiens didn’t start trying to trade him out of Montreal; they knew what they had on their hands and that he just needed time to reach his full potential. In his fourth year with the Habs, Lafleur exploded with the first of six consecutive seasons of 119 points or more, and he never looked back.
No, I’m not saying Slafkovsky will turn into Lafleur overnight, or ever, but what I'm saying is that some players need a little time to reach their potential when they make the jump to the NHL. It’s normal; this is a league featuring the world's best players, all of whom are physically mature adults and tough to play against.
Still not over this.
Wins a battle. Crossovers off the wall. He’s in the slot, with his captain and leading scorer screaming “Hey! Hey!” to his left. And he trusts himself to shoot instead.
Before joining the Canadiens, when he played in the junior ranks in Slovakia, he was likely always the most significant body on the ice. Still, when he turned pro with TPS Turku in Finland, he became a different player. In the NHL, he wasn’t anymore. That’s not easy to adapt to, and in his rookie season, Slafkovsky looked easy to push off the puck; he wasn’t used to being pushed like that. he was used to being the wall players crashed into, and that was no longer the case.
Playing a physical game in the NHL is hard, it’s demanding, and it’s tiring, but Martin St. Louis is slowly but surely making Slafkovsky realize that his success will come from using that big frame of his consistently. The 21-year-old has heard the coach, he knows it, he even said so himself coming back from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, declaring he would like to play more like Brady Tkachuk.
Slafkovsky knows what he needs to do, he knows the way he needs to play and he’s also aware that he needs to do it right away when the season starts, when he manages to put everything he knows into practice all at the same time, he’s going to be quite a player and one that will be a massive asset to the Canadiens, give him the time to get there.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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One of the biggest holes in the Yankees' roster is the lack of a third baseman.
General manager Brian Cashman, despite his efforts this offseason, allowed the Yanks to start the regular season with a trio of third base options: Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and DJ LeMahieu.
Cabrera was lost for the season after fracturing his ankle in May and LeMahieu, after starting the season on the IL, was "physically unable" to play third base, according to manager Aaron Boone. That forced Jazz Chisholm Jr. to move from his natural position at second base to third to give the team more flexibility on the field.
However, the solid defense Chisholm showed at the hot corner last season regressed, and LeMahieu's age didn't allow the veteran infielder to man second base the way a major leaguer should. That resulted in LeMahieu eventually being DFA'd and Chisholm moving back to second base.
So, where does that leave third base for the Yankees?
Peraza and the recently-recalled Jorbit Vivas are playing third for now, but their inexperience at the plate has made their spot in the lineup an automatic out. With no internal options available, Cashman will have to go and swing a trade for a third baseman who can field and hit. That's where Ryan McMahon comes in.
The veteran third baseman is on a Rockies team that has the worst record in MLB and will flirt with breaking the 2024 White Sox's mark for worst record in history.
Colorado should be sellers at this trade deadline, but the team has not had fire sales in recent seasons like they should. Perhaps this year will be different -- and the Yankees should give the team a buzz to see if McMahon is available.
Here are the pros and cons of New York making a deal for McMahon...
Jul 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Pros
The biggest argument to trade for McMahon is how futile the young Yankees' third basemen have been this season.
Just looking at the current options (Peraza and Vivas), you'll see why McMahon's production is an immediate upgrade. Peraza is slashing .151/.215/.247 with an OPS of .462 to go along with three homers, five doubles and 13 RBI.
Vivas is slashing .149/.245/.255 with an OPS of .500 to go along with one homer, two doubles and four RBI.
Of course, both Peraza (146 at-bats) and Vivas (47 at-bats) have not had regular playing time this season and will get a runway here before the Yankees make a deal. But if either were hitting the ball consistently enough, the Yanks would have given them the job a long time ago instead of resorting to Chisholm playing third base.
McMahon, 30, is slashing .214/.312/.382 with an OPS of .694 to go along with 13 homers, 13 doubles and 28 RBI in 322 at-bats. Those numbers aren't great but, again, it's an upgrade.
He's also not far removed from an All-Star appearance. Just last year, McMahon made his first All-Star Game in a year where he slashed .272/.350/.447 with an OPS of .797 and 14 homers before the break. Perhaps there's something left in there that the Yankees could mine. And perhaps he'd perform better playing for a contending team instead of the 50-games-below-.500 Rockies.
His left-handed bat could also play well at Yankee Stadium.
But on the defensive side is where McMahon really shines. Over his nine-year career, McMahon has never had a negative DRS playing the hot corner. He's also a near double-digit OAA fielder the last three seasons.
The combination of defense and offensive upside is an intriguing possibility that the Yanks should explore.
Cons
Although McMahon is a better hitter than Peraza and Vivas, it's not by much. After making the All-Star team last year, the second half of 2024 was rough for McMahon. He slashed .188/.283/.309 with a .592 OPS and smashed just six homers in the final months of the season. That lack of production has spilled over to the first half of this year, which is odd for a player who calls Coors Field home.
But that advantage is also a warning sign for any team that wants to acquire him. This year, McMahon's home/away splits are alarming.
Jun 17, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) makes a throw to first base after fielding a ground ball by Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In 44 home games, he's hitting .241/.358/.441 with an .800 OPS while cracking eight homers and driving in 15. In 48 road games, he's slashing .192/.270/.333 with a .604 OPS and five homers to go along with 13 RBI.
Those splits are a career-long trend for McMahon. He's hit 85 homers and batted a career .263 with an .813 OPS in 511 games (440 starts) at Coors. On the road, he's hit only 52 homers while batting .217 with a .666 OPS across 491 games (436 starts).
McMahon's left-handed swing is also unnecessary on a Yankees roster that needs right-handed bats in the worst way.
On the defensive side, McMahon has seemingly taken his struggles at the plate onto the field. While having a positive DRS this season, it's only at 3 DRS. His career low DRS was 2 back in 2018, but it's a far cry from the double-digit DRS he had the past four seasons.
And then there's the contract.
While the Yanks would have two years of control after this one, it comes to $16 million each year. It's a similar contract to Nolan Arenado's -- who is owed $31 million in the final two years of his deal -- and the Rockies will likely either want the Yankees to take on the majority of it or part ways with some valuable prospects.
While a regular third base option for the next few years is great, it could keep George Lombard Jr. from making the jump to the majors.
Verdict
This is an easy pass.
While McMahon provides an upgrade offensively to the Yankees' current situation, it's not enough to warrant the prospects/money it would likely cost. If a controllable third baseman is what the Yankees want, Arenado -- although he's older -- makes more sense than McMahon.
And if Lombard is the future at third base, the Yankees need to make sure there's a path for him. Trading for a rental is more feasible, and Arizona's Eugenio Suarez fits that bill.
If the Rockies are desperate to move McMahon and the Yanks can get him at a steal, sure. But with that scenario unlikely, Cashman needs to look elsewhere.
