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The Yankees' Biggest Disappointment 1/3 Into the 2026 Season And it Isn't Ryan McMahon

The Yankees face early-season struggles from catcher Austin Wells, whose offense has slipped to a 62 wRC+ this year.
Ryan McMahon also underperforms, posting a .200/.261/.352 line with 73 wRC+ and 0.2 WAR early in 2026.
Yankees consider options at catcher, including potential talks of a Ryan Jeffers trade as Wells’ leash tightens.
Wells’ defense and game-calling are cited as potential reasons to keep him behind the plate despite offensive woes.
The article notes the Yankees’ rotation has been strong, helping the team maintain competitiveness early in the season.
The piece frames Wells’ current tight leash in context of potential upgrades at the catcher position.
A comparison is drawn to past teams prioritizing defense and game-calling at catcher when offense dips.
The article introduces a comparison to historical coaching decisions, implying Wells’ role could be evaluated like earlier defensive strategies.
The article notes Wells’ limited major-league track record, with only one season considered league-average prior to 2024.
The piece underscores the broader context of the Yankees’ season, including rotating injuries and team record alignment with first place by just 1.5 games.
The report highlights reader-facing context by labeling Yankees On SI as the source for insights on Wells and McMahon.

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