The New York Yankees have needed and wanted an impact player at third base for months. They finally got their man with a big trade for Ryan McMahon on Friday.
The Yankees’ third base situation has been a mess all year. At one point, Oswaldo Cabrera seemed like he could be an above-average option at the hot corner. However, an ankle fracture in May ended his season. New York has been looking to fill the spot with a true difference maker ever since.
Well, they have that in Colorado Rockies one-time All-Star Ryan McMahon. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the news on Friday afternoon of the team’s first big splash before next week’s MLB trade deadline. In a follow-up report, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal added that the Pinstripes will be sending prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in return.
In the deal, the Rockies get a pair of top-20 level prospects from the Yankees system (via MLB.com). Single-A player Herring is the better of the two and ranks eighth overall on MLB.com. The 2024 draft pick has a solid fastball that tops out in the low-90s. However, his best pitch is a sweeping mid-80s slider that is trouble for both lefties and righties.
If the lefty can’t improve his fastball and changeup, the LSU product likely can still be a high-end reliever at the next level.
- Ryan McMahon stats: .217 AVG, .314 OBP, .403 SLG, .717 OPS, 16 HR, 35 RBI, 42 R
Grading the New York Yankees trade for Ryan McMahon
Over the last few weeks, the Yankees have been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star slugger Eugenio Suarez. However, many teams have been linked to the player on pace to hit well over 50 homers this season. That is probably why New York pivoted to McMahon. A player they have been connected to for far longer than Suarez.
The nine-year veteran has long been a rock-solid player who, when healthy, can easily hit over 20 homers a season. But what makes him potentially better than Suarez is that he is a very good defender at third, and he can bring stability to that side of the infield. Something New York needed after having a rough showing on the infield in 2025.
- Ryan McMahon contract (via Spotrac): Six years, $70 million
Also, unlike Suarez, McMahon is not a rental. He is signed for the next two seasons at $16 million annually. A case can be made that the Diamondbacks’ third baseman has the potential to make a bigger impact this year. However, McMahon is still a big upgrade, is locked in for more seasons at a fair rate, and has the potential to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short porch.
However, it must be noted, his away splits are notably lower than his away numbers at Coors Field.
New York Yankees trade grade: B+
