Yankees mulling third base experiment with Anthony Volpe as Ryan McMahon questions loom
The glaring Ryan McMahon playoff problem has the Yankees set to once again expand Anthony Volpe’s defensive repertoire.Volpe, now at second base after transitioning from shortstop, will “probably” play third base in the team’s final five games, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Talkin’ Yanks.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
The team is not planning to do so with Jazz Chisholm, although Boone caveated that statement with a “we’ll see” during his usual midweek interview with the podcast.The Yankees have six days before they likely welcome the Red Sox — or the AL Central runner-up — to The Bronx for a second straight AL wild-card series and they will use this time to figure out roster construction.Boone said after the Rays clinched the AL East on Tuesday in the nightcap of the doubleheader that he would consider experimenting with players at certain positions.The glaring roster question centers on third base.McMahon has become virtually unplayable due to his shaky defense as of late and horrific offense.The veteran is hitting just .143 in 15 games since returning from the injured list, going 6-for-42 with one extra-base hit and a .217 on-base percentage.Against a Boston team filled with lefties, McMahon, who owns a .518 OPS against southpaws this year, becomes an easy fade.The question is where the Yankees would turn and they have Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero as potential options, although there are flaws with both.Rosario is a bad defender this year and has not hit lefties like usual, with just a .599 OPS, and Caballero can be rather streaky offensively.Volpe has tallied just a .695 OPS in 11 games since being recalled, which doesn’t scream must-start, but his righty bat could be needed against potential southpaws.He also has handled second base rather well since shifting to the position earlier this month with rookie George Lombard Jr....