Former Kraken Assistant Coach Joining Oilers Staff
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Ryan McMahon off to fast start with Yankees: `First impressions are usually pretty big'
NEW YORK (AP) — Two games into his New York Yankees career, Ryan McMahon has fans talking. And in this case, that's a positive. 'First impressions are usually pretty big,' he said Sunday after sparking a comeback with a tying, two-run double and some dazzling defense in a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies that stopped a three-game losing streak. Acquired on Friday from Colorado, the 2024 All-Star went 1 for 3 and made a nifty backhand stop in his pinstriped debut Saturday, a 9-4 defeat. After the Phillies went ahead 2-0 Sunday against Carlos Rodón on second-inning homers by Nick Castellanos and rookie Otto Kemp, McMahon grounded a Zack Wheeler curveball into the right-field corner in the bottom half. 'He looks great so far. Hopefully he continues it," Yankees closer Devin Williams said. "I've obviously played against him in the past and he was a good player and I'm happy to have him here.' McMahon also singled and was hit by a pitch. He's reached base five times in two games with the Yankees. His glove work has been even more impressive. McMahon easily fielded J.T. Realmuto's 104.3 mph grounder in the second, jumped to grab Bryce Harper's looper leading off the fourth, then ranged to his glove side for a fifth-inning grounder with two out, slid and spun and then threw out speedy Trea Turner at first. 'Three big plays that stood out to me,' Rodón said. 'It's a whirlwind for a guy that gets traded and has to figure things out. So it's a pleasure to have him.' McMahon made 129 errors over six minor league seasons. He credited his defense to former Rockies teammates Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu, who have combined for 13 All-Star selections and 14 Gold Gloves. 'When you have those three guys and you're 20 years old and in your first big league camp, you're going to learn a lot if you just shut up and watch and pay attention,' McMahon said. McMahon arrived in the Bronx on Friday night following his trade from the Rockies, the team that drafted him in 2013. He took only one suitcase of clothing and his gear, and is staying in a hotel through the homestand. His wife Natalie and 1 1/2-year-old daughter Austyn Brooke remained behind. 'We'll figure that out, man,' he said. 'My wife, she's a rock star. She's awesome. She'll let me get settled a little bit and then they'll probably come out next homestand.' Yankees players, led by captain Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, have been working at getting to know McMahon. 'Real easy to be around. I kind of sat with him a little bit today in the locker room, just kind of shooting it a little with him and he feels, to me, he feels comfortable,' said manager Aaron Boone, a third baseman obtained by the Yankees from Cincinnati at the 2003 trade deadline. 'It's allowing them space, allowing them to be themselves but also trying to really get to know them a little bit and making them immediately feel part of it,' Boone said. Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler (9-4), who tied his career high with three hit batters — including two in a row ahead of the double by McMahon, who himself was hit by a pitch in the sixth. A smile on his face, McMahon left the clubhouse to address some of the logistics of the trade. 'I've got a lot of calls to make today, that's for sure,' he said. ___ AP MLB:
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12 minutes ago
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Kyle Connor's Impending Payday Set To Challenge Jets' Financial Philosophy
The Winnipeg Jets have done a terrific job of building a core that has happily accepted less money than they could get on the open market. Whether it's superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, star center Mark Scheifele or star defenseman Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg's top players have chosen to stay in Winnipeg for considerably less money than other teams would've gladly paid them. However, there's a situation on the horizon that could upset the apple cart when it comes to the Jets' financial food chain. And it all has to do with star left winger Kyle Connor. For the past six seasons, the 28-year-old Connor has earned $7.14 million. And in return for that money, Connor has thrived on offense. In five of the NHL's last five full seasons, Connor has never produced fewer than 31 goals. And this past season, Connor posted 41 goals and set new career-highs in assists (56) and points (97). You really couldn't ask for more from Connor, who was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team for his efforts. But here's the issue: Connor will be a UFA at the end of the coming season, and if he does get to the open market, teams will be lining up to pay him at least $10-million per season, if not much more than that. And if Winnipeg intends on keeping Connor for the long haul, they're going to have to make Connor the big dog in terms of the salary structure for the Jets. Right now, no Jets player makes more than the $8.5 million Scheifele and Hellebuyck make. Even a top talent like Morrissey only makes $6.25-million per season, while veteran D-man Neal Pionk earns $7-million per year. And young winger Gabe Vilardi just signed an extension that will pay him an average annual amount of $7.5 million. So, with the salary cap rising to $95.5 million next season, do the Jets really want to play with fire and try to shortchange Connor on his next contract? Even limiting Connor to $8.5-million per year on an eight-year extension would represent a huge discount Connor would be giving to Winnipeg. Connor is in his prime, and he has a degree of leverage right now that he may never have again. Why would he accept a hometown discount of sorts when he and his agent are fully aware he could be earning at least $1-$2-million more per year? The answer is clear: he's not going to accept a hometown discount. Indeed, spread out over an eight-year deal, Connor would be leaving $16 million or more on the table to stay in Winnipeg by taking an $8.5-million AAV deal. We can understand why Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would try his best to keep Connor's pay raise to a minimum, but he'd be running the risk of alienating a cornerstone player at a time when he could easily accommodate a $10-million-per-season payday for a star forward who can't be replaced in free agency or through trades. On the other hand, Cheveldayoff doesn't want to insult Scheifele, Hellebuyck and Morrissey by backing up the money truck for Connor when Cheveldayoff didn't do the same for those veterans. It's all an extremely delicate balance for Jets management, and it could wind up reshaping the Jets' roster. Only six NHL players had more goals than Connor had this past year, and only six players in the league had more points last season than Connor had. He's been a consistent menace with the puck and a savvy playmaker, and he deserves to have a significant raise. If Cheveldayoff can convince Connor to take, say, $9-$9.5 million on an extension, it will be a clear victory for the Jets, and it won't cause much, if any, friction with Winnipeg's other top stars. But there's no guarantee Connor will accept such a deal. In any case, Connor's next payday will likely reset the financial bar for Jets players. At a time when the business of the league is thriving, Connor should reap the benefits of it. And if and when Connor agrees to a new deal, Winnipeg's salary structure almost certainly is going to be significantly altered as a new financial era begins for the organization. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
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12 minutes ago
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Bubba Wallace overcome with emotion after Brickyard 400 victory
Bubba Wallace shares his emotions, celebrating with his wife and son after claiming the win in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
