Yankees Trade for Ryan McMahon to Fix Third Base Problem
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As the MLB trade deadline approaches, contenders and rebuilders are defining their paths. The New York Yankees stressed that they intend to make a purchase. Their biggest push yet: acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, signaling that standing still was never an option in the Bronx.
Third Base Has Been a Major Problem
The Yankees entered July with a glaring weakness at third base. Offensive inconsistency and defensive instability have dragged down the infield since Opening Day. With Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season after Tommy John surgery, the Yankees needed to strengthen the roster fast.
New York made a controversial move earlier in the month by designating DJ LeMahieu for assignment. He had returned from injury and played second base, while Jazz Chisholm shifted to third. But after only nine games, the Yankees moved Chisholm back to second and parted ways with LeMahieu.
Why McMahon’s the Perfect Fit
Enter McMahon:
- Left-handed bat built for Yankee Stadium
- Gold Glove-caliber defense
- Team control through 2027
He brings needed power and runs production to the left side of the infield. In Colorado this season, McMahon posted a .217/.314/.403 slash line with 16 HR and 35 RBI across roughly 350 at-bats. But he’s trending up—10 home runs and an .820 OPS over his last 39 games.
Advanced metrics show even more upside:
- 94 mph average exit velocity
- 50.4% hard-hit rate
- 91st percentile in Outs Above Average
Before the trade, Oswald Peraza and Jobie Vivas split time at third. Both are strong defenders, but their bats weren’t postseason caliber. McMahon eliminates that risk.
World Series or Bust
The Yankees avoided a thin trade market that featured short-term options like Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez. Instead, they locked in a long-term solution that upgrades the lineup now and stabilizes the infield for years. With a strong core of Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm, and now McMahon, the Yankees are backing up their championship ambitions.
Defensively, McMahon is elite. Ranked in the 91st percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA), McMahon’s glove is considered one of the best at the hot corner. For a Yankees team built around strong pitching and timely defense, his skill set is a perfect fit.
The Yankees’ front office is fully committed to a World Series push. McMahon’s power bat, Gold Glove-caliber defense, and lefty swing tailor-made for Yankee Stadium could be exactly what New York needs to power through October.
Pitching is the Next Priority
However, the job isn’t done. The Yankees remain aggressive on the pitching market with Cole unavailable.
Top rotation targets include:
Garrett Crochet (BOS)
Mitch Keller (PIT)
Zac Gallen (ARI)
All three would give the Yankees a high-strikeout, innings-eating presence with playoff upside—exactly what’s needed at the top of a rotation currently held together by solid, but inconsistent, performances from Carlos Rodón and Luis Gil. The Yankees may not stop there.
The bullpen could use another elite finisher. If Cleveland fields offers, Emmanuel Clase becomes a top target. Pairing him with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver would give New York one of the most dominant late-inning groups in baseball.
With McMahon locked in at third base, the Yankees have filled their most urgent need. Now they’re turning their attention to pitching upgrades that could finalize a roster built to chase a championship.
The Yankees aren’t hoping for October success—they’re preparing for it.
