On Saturday, the Yankees were supposed to rebound against a reeling Athletics team; however, the team walked away with a 7-0 shutout loss—an embarrassing low point in what has been a frustrating month. With a 12-13 record in June and a lineup that once struck fear now stumbles more often than not, the Yankees suddenly look like a team searching for answers rather than imposing their will. Aaron Judge, in specific, has continued to fight, going hitless again and highlighting none of his usual command at the plate. Yet, despite the visible slump and increasing noise around the offensive woes, the manager of the team does not sound the alarm.

Speaking to YES Network, Aaron Boone made his stance clear: “I trust in these guys and their track record and their process.” Boone highlighted that multiple stars were “having good quality at-bats” and went further to defend Aaron Judge directly, saying, “He’s always close.” The manager also pointed to the captain’s deep fly ball from the previous game—clocked at 108 mph—as proof of how near a turnaround could be. However, in a results-driven league, “close” does not count in the standings, and Aaron Boone’s unwavering thinking is beginning to look more like denial.

He was not done, and when asked if Aaron Judge was missing pitches, he reacted with a shrug at the data: “108 to where he hit it… it was supposed to go 410.” This is not exactly a hard look at accountability. The manager attributed the captain’s lack of production to “a weird day carrying,” not timing. This was not a subtle defense. This was a full-on shield.

That kind of unwavering faith has become Boone’s calling card. However, in a month where they have gone 12-13 and scored just 98 runs while conceding 85, the patience feels thin. The captain has not homered in over a week, and Judge’s availability at the plate—once fearsome—is beginning to feel… tentative, and yet, Aaron Boone’s tone has not wavered. “He’s always tinkering… making minor adjustments,” Boone said.

What makes the disconnect more vital is the blunt honesty coming from a first baseman of the team. After Saturday’s game, Paul Goldschmidt, who managed just one of the Yankees’ three hits, did not sugarcoat the loss. “We weren’t really able to get any momentum going,” the star admitted and credited Athletics’ JP Sears and Jack Perkins for mixing pitches effectively.

That contrast matters. The Yankees’ manager is clearly trying to safeguard his team; however, fans are beginning to see it as denial wrapped in optimism. Aaron Judge could be “always close,” however, how long does that line hold before expectations boil over?

That internal reassurance from Aaron Boone only goes so far, specifically when other options to fix the Yankees’ issues are already making headlines.

Yankees targeting $70 million answer to plug infield void amid LeMahieu concerns

With the offense sputtering and DJ LeMahieu showing visible signs of decline, the team appears ready to explore outside reinforcements. One star that continues to gather traction: Ryan McMahon of the Rockies. As per reports, the Yankees are now predicted to land McMahon in a midseason trade. The lefty slugger is on pace to hit 20 homers for the sixth straight full season, and although his Coors Field advantage can not be ignored, the consistency in the star’s numbers and defensive prowess at third base make McMahon an appealing fix.

The timing could not be more relevant. McMahon has quietly surged since May 7. He hit seven homers with 16 RBIs and posted an .855 OPS across 37 games. McMahon also ranks in the top 10 percent of MLB in exit velocity and hard-hit rate. Such numbers are not just surface-level enhancements—they are signs of a star whose power and plate discipline could make a quick effect in a Yankees lineup which has looked alarmingly passive in recent weeks. With a .222 average and more than 95 OPS overall, the upside is considerable, specifically when compared to LeMahieu, who is hitting below expectations and struggling to produce extra-base power.

What makes the move more intriguing is the Yankees’ positional flexibility. Adding McMahon would not only shore up the team’s third base but also enable Jazz Chisholm Jr. to shift back to second full-time, easing some force on an infield that has been riddled with inconsistencies. While McMahon’s deal—$12 million in 2025 and $16 million annually through 2027—could look steep, the Rockies’ historic collapse at 18-65 provides the Yankees leverage. If the Rockies agree to eat part of the deal, the Yankees could feasibly outbid the Mariners and any other interested team without gutting their farm system.

In essence, the Yankees are not just hoping for internal bounce-backs anymore—the team is targeting a tangible and veteran outcome, and after a 7-0 shutout loss and mounting force on stars like Judge and LeMahieu, this transformation in approach could be exactly what the team’s faithful have been calling for.

`