Big Mac and Mike Debate Yankee Lineup and Aaron Judge Loophole

Craig Carton (0:00)

I guess the big question out for you, Big Mac, if you were Brian Cashrin or I guess Aaron Boone for the day, I think we all agree you're not gonna have Ryan McMahon at third base.

Chris McMonigle (0:09)

I think that's obvious.

Craig Carton (0:09)

Especially after the error. Doesn't mean you won't see him late in a close game for defensive purposes, even though that seems to be a bit of an oxymoron right now. I think the big question most Yankee fans have is, who is playing second base? You got a righty against them, so thus far, they've gone with an extraordinarily heavy left-handed lineup.

That worked against the Red Sox, obviously. The offense never really kicked on against Tampa in game one or two. What is your take on Volpe or Jazz playing second base?

Chris McMonigle (0:41)

I'm still leaning towards Jazz.

Listen, I understand the game he had. I get it. I understand the miscues, the throw.

I'm not ready to say that Volpe gives them. I don't make decisions just based on, I can't look at the guy. Now, I know I feel that way about McMahon, but he also gives me nothing offensively and never has. Never once in a Yankee uniform has he ever been an offensive player. He is there strictly for defense, and if he's going to make plays like that, then there's no point to him, so I go Caballero. Jazz has been a productive offensive player. He didn't get any hits. The whole team did.

Craig Carton (1:17)

Jazz is good at bats, though, like nine, ten pitch high bats.

Chris McMonigle (1:20)

It's also short porch Yankee stadium. Like, if you told me someone gets the big hit to break the game open, is it him or Anthony Volpe?

Craig Carton (1:28)

I have to say Jazz.

Chris McMonigle (1:30)

I get it. I do. If that's the decision they go and the route they go, and it's not even lefty righty so much because Martinez's numbers are kind of like whatever. He's not a dominant, can't get right-handed, that right-handed batters don't have a chance against them or anything. But I just don't see the upgrade of Anthony Volpe. It's pretty much just to say, I've seen enough of Jazz. I get that and I understand that take with McMahon because we've seen enough of him for over a year and a half.

Jazz has been a productive player for the Yankees most of his time in the uniform and offensively. We saw him the other night against the Red Sox, multiple hits, multiple stolen bases. Plus, you got the short porch with him and having some power.

I just don't see the benefit enough of Anthony Volpe. I just, unless the manager is just fed up with Jazz as well, and they don't trust him to play defense in a big spot because again, he did have a misplay in the Toronto series last year.

Craig Carton (2:22)

He had a couple in game two also. He didn't get charged because one board makes the play at second base and two taps to the bag.

Chris McMonigle (2:30)

I get it. If the belief is you just don't trust him defensively and to keep his head in the game, he can't be out there.

Craig Carton (2:35)

By the way, he's not the first Yankee player where Yankee fans have turned on in a post-season. I mean, I think he's at that point right now where it's because of how he reacts to being benched, how he reacts on the field, his doubling down after the game, I would have done it again, that kind of stuff. You obviously tick off a fan base. He's not going to be here next year anyway.

Chris McMonigle (2:55)

And nor do I think that should be...

Craig Carton (2:56)

That shouldn't have anything to do with what you do tonight.

Chris McMonigle (2:58)

It shouldn't have anything to do with what it does tonight, and nor do I think me wanting to play him at second base tonight means I want to make the future...

Craig Carton (3:03)

I would play jazz tonight. I would start jazz tonight. I would.

Chris McMonigle (3:08)

And I would also... The other question mark that guys want off is Grisham.

I just don't see...

I don't see the benefit of Ramos. I just don't. Like, this is the same guy we all screamed and cried about being in the lineup, game one against the Red Sox, and he had two lousy at-bats, and he hasn't hit right-handed pitching in a Yankee uniform almost at all. Like, I just... Like, I get it. I don't think they're better... If you told me it was a major upgrade defensive...