Is Ryan McMahon the answer at first base?
Ever since Todd Helton bid farewell to the Rockies at the end of the 2013 season, the franchise has been searching for a true replacement to the franchise icon. Is that person Ryan McMahon?
Colorado Rockies
Much has been made about Jeff Bridich’s decision to bring in Ian Desmond and Daniel Murphy to play first for the Rockies. Neither player has worked so far while McMahon has spent time in the minors and/or shifted over to second base.
The move to second benefitted the Rockies greatly last season as McMahon put up franchise-record numbers at the plate and also played solid defense. But what happens after Murphy’s contract ends following this season? Will McMahon slide over to first and firmly establish himself as “the man” at the position? On the surface, it seems like a simple answer (and that’s yes, by the way). But, maybe, just maybe, the Rockies keep RyMac at second and use other another option at first (Roberto Ramos, Josh Fuentes, etc.).
Will Colorado find a permanent answer at first or continue the patchwork pattern we have seen in recent years? We’ll be watching.