Yankees obtain Ryan McMahon from Rockies to address clear need at third base

Yankees Acquire Ryan McMahon from Rockies

The Yankees have addressed their third base situation by trading for Ryan McMahon from the Rockies. This move comes as they continue to look for stability in their roster, with confirmation from sources like John Heyman and Joel Sherman.

In this deal, New York is sending left-handed pitching prospect Griffin Herring to Colorado, who is considered their 8th best prospect, as well as minor league pitcher Josh Gross, ranked 21st. They apparently felt these moves were necessary—perhaps to fill a significant gap at third base.

There were earlier rumors about the Yankees being interested in Diamondbacks star Eugenio Suárez, but reports suggest those talks have cooled off.

McMahon, set to be an All-Star in 2024, brings experience to the Yankees, but there’s a catch: despite playing in Coors Field for nearly a decade, he’s had trouble posting strong offensive numbers—his highest OPS was .779.

This year’s Yankees lineup has had issues at third base, particularly after releasing DJ LeMahieu. Young players like Oswald Peraza and Yorvit Vivas haven’t performed well, either, which raises concerns. LeMahieu struggled significantly, and unfortunately, Peraza and Vivas have been among the least effective hitters this season.

At 30 years old, McMahon is currently in the midst of a $12 million season, with two years and $32 million remaining on his contract. His performance this year includes a batting average of .217 and an OPS of .717, with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs. Throughout his career, he has a .743 OPS and a .240 average.

Defensively, he scores well, rated as a plus defender at third base—he’s made a solid contribution overall. Earlier reports indicated the Yankees were prioritizing pitching ahead of the deadline, suggesting they might still be active in seeking more arms for their rotation and bullpen.

The Yankees have managed to retain their more promising prospects in this deal, which they could leverage for additional trades moving forward. Herring has had a solid season in Single A, boasting a record of 7-3 with an impressive 1.17 ERA, while Gross holds a record of 4-8 with a 4.14 ERA across 15 starts and one relief appearance.