The New York Yankees are using spring training to test infield versatility, with Ryan McMahon at shortstop and Cody Bellinger at first base, providing critical depth options for a team with recent injury concerns and offensive questions.
On the surface, it’s a simple spring training experiment. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had Ryan McMahon start at shortstop and Cody Bellinger at first base during Friday’s exhibition game. But in the high-stakes world of New York baseball, nothing is ever just an experiment. This is a calculated move to build contingency options for a team whose championship aspirations could hinge on infield versatility.
The Strategic Imperative Behind Infield Flexibility
The Yankees’ 2024 season was a masterclass in resilience, but it exposed critical vulnerabilities. Injuries to key infielders forced the club to use a carousel of players, including Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu, at multiple positions. By cross-training McMahon—primarily a third baseman acquired in the offseason from the Rockies—and Bellinger—an outfielder by trade—Boone is ensuring that the team can absorb another injury without a significant drop in defensive quality.
McMahon’s work at shortstop was notably smooth, though Boone offered a minor critique: he was a tick slow on a potential relay play [NY Post]. This attention to detail is precisely why these drills matter. A slow relay in October can be the difference between a double play and a tying run in the ALCS.
McMahon’s Offensive Slump Adds urgency
While defensive experimentation is prudent, it comes with a backdrop of offensive concern. McMahon is currently hitless in his last 11 at-bats, with just one walk and four strikeouts. This slump raises the stakes: if the Yankees need to turn to McMahon for regular playing time due to an injury, his bat must improve. The organization is betting that his offensive struggles are temporary, a product of spring training timing, but the margin for error is thin.
- McMahon’s 2024 Stats: .248/.321/.413 with 23 HR (partial season with Rockies)
- Current Spring Slump: 0-for-11 with 4 Ks since last hit
- Defensive Test: Playing shortstop—a position he’s logged only 2 innings at since 2022
Bellinger, meanwhile, is already comfortable at first base, a position he played regularly during his MVP-caliber seasons with the Dodgers. His experience there provides a lower-risk transition compared to McMahon’s more dramatic shift.
The Bullpen Battle Rages in the Background
The infield experiment isn’t the only competition heating up in Tampa. Boone made it clear he wants relievers—perhaps two—to lock down the final bullpen spots. So far, no one has fully seized the opportunity.
Osvaldo Bido, a contender for a middle-relief role, allowed a run on Friday. In contrast, newcomer Yovanny Cruz generated buzz by hitting 100 mph on the radar gun, a tangible tool that could earn him a roster spot despite limited experience.
This bullpen uncertainty connects directly to the infield plan. If the Yankees need to call upon McMahon for extended time at shortstop, they may also need to lean more heavily on their bullpen to cover innings if a starter falters. Every roster decision is interdependent.
Fan Theories and Historical Echoes
Unsurprisingly, Yankees fans are dissecting every snapshot from spring training. The McMahon-at-shortstop drill has sparked two primary theories:
- Trade Inevitability: Is this a precursor to trading Gleyber Torres? If McMahon can handle short, the Yankees could move Torres (who is owed $10.5M in 2026) for pitching help.
- Injury Contingency Deep Dive: With Anthony Rizzo‘s age and injury history, Bellinger at first base could be a full-time plan if the veteran struggles or lands on the IL.
Historically, the Yankees’ best championship teams had supremely versatile infields—think Chad Curtis and Scott Brosius in the late ’90s. This experiment is a modern echo of that philosophy, adapting to a era of specialized pitching and grueling schedules.
Furthermore, Bellinger’s recent career arc—from MVP to near-out-of-the-game to resurgence with the Cubs—makes him a perfect fit for a utility role. His ability to play all three outfield spots and now first base maximizes his value to a team that may need him everywhere.
Saturday’s Spotlight: Max Fried Takes the Mound
All this strategic maneuvering happens alongside the routine of a 162-game season. On Saturday, the Yankees host the Phillies at Steinbrenner Field, with newly acquired ace Max Fried making another start. Fried’s performance will be the primary story, but the behind-the-scenes work with McMahon and Bellinger represents the long-term roster building that happens in the shadows.
The Yankees are not just preparing for April; they are building a infrastructure capable of surviving October. Every ground ball McMahon fields at short, every pitch Cruz throws, is a data point in a larger equation.
For Yankees fans, this spring training is a masterclass in proactive roster management. The team isn’t waiting for a crisis; they are engineering solutions before the problem arrives. In a market where impatience is currency, that kind of foresight is the ultimate luxury.
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