McMahon thriving for Rox at second, third

DENVER -- Hard as it is to replace a franchise icon, the Rockies’ Ryan McMahon has been called upon to replace two at the same time -- and with quietly solid results.

After postseason trips in 2017 and '18, the Rockies lost second baseman DJ LeMahieu to the Yankees in free agency before ’19, and third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the Cardinals this past offseason. The relative success of those clubs compared to the struggling Rockies -- 12-19 going into Friday’s opener of a three-game set against the Cardinals -- tells one story.

But McMahon, 26, hasn’t shrunk from the task of building his own career on a team with players in the same situation – meaning there isn’t much time or use in comparing themselves to Rockies stars gone elsewhere. Of course, this weekend, the comparisons may be inevitable if McMahon and Arenado wind up playing third in the same ballpark. McMahon gets it, and is tongue-in-cheek about it all.

“I mean, I want to give you guys some juicy answer,” McMahon said, smiling, after Wednesday’s 6-5 victory over the Giants.

Then McMahon gave his favorite answer, which is “to be the best version of myself -- I think we’re both talented third basemen who play the position well.”

Through 31 games, McMahon has posted a .265/.315/.513 slash line. His eight home runs are tied for fourth in the National League -- eighth in the Majors -- entering Thursday. But McMahon, who hit 24 home runs in '19 and nine in a rough '20 while primarily playing second, has been a reasonable imitation of both LeMahieu and Arenado defensively. He has split his time on the field with 19 starts at second and 14 at third.

Going into Thursday, McMahon led National League second baseman in defensive runs saved (DRS) with five, per Fangraphs, though his 141 innings at the position are the fewest of the players in the top five.

At third, McMahon is part of a two-man rotation (with Josh Fuentes) that has accounted for itself well. Fuentes entered Thursday with three DRS in 150 innings, and McMahon with two in 115. You could say they’ve done more than Arenado, who has a DRS of three in 266 innings. But, remember, Arenado is also a cog in a strong lineup for a first-place team, so no need to interpret that the Rockies are somehow better off.

While McMahon’s performance doesn’t answer the question of which position is his best, it’s good enough for the Rockies for the next few seasons, at least. McMahon avoided arbitration over the offseason with a one-year, $2.375 million contract and is under club control through the 2023 season.

A key double play involving McMahon in Tuesday night’s come-from-behind victory over the Giants in Game 2 of a doubleheader was something Rockies manager Bud Black considered a gem. It featured a grab of a hard grounder and a jump throw, not to mention Trevor Story's pivot and throw at short. McMahon also singled in a run during the six-run rally that was punctuated by Charlie Blackmon’s three-run walk-off homer.

“He’s a ‘plus’ defender at either position,” Black said. “That double play that he and Trevor turned, you appreciate that.

“That was a bullet off the bat. ‘Mac’ had to go to his left. That was just a hard play to even get to, and to snare and turn, make a strong throw to ‘Trev.’ Then ‘Trev’ was being athletic and acrobatic to spin and get something on his throw. That was as good a double play as you’ll see.”

While Fuentes must improve offensively -- he's currently slashing .202/.218/.286 -- to warrant more playing time when McMahon is not at third, Black is encouraged about the defense at the hot corner and infield overall.

“The Gold Gloves speak for themselves with Nolan,” Black said. “But we started in Spring Training -- the plays that Josh was making in Arizona, and what we’re seeing from ‘Mac’ now [and] what we saw during the first month of the season, those guys have been fun. So, defensively, we feel second, short and third are very solid.”