The New York Yankees have finally addressed their persistent third base struggles, securing veteran infielder Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. This critical acquisition, confirmed just days before the July 31st MLB trade deadline, aims to solidify a long-standing roster weakness and bolster the Bronx Bombers’ defense as they push for a deeper playoff run. McMahon, a former All-Star, brings a proven glove and a left-handed bat to Yankee Stadium, promising immediate stability at the hot corner.
Bolstering a Glaring Positional Weakness
For much of the 2025 season, the Yankees have grappled with inconsistent production and defensive woes at third base. Veterans like the recently released DJ LeMahieu struggled on both sides of the ball, while promising youngsters Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas provided minimal offensive output. Peraza, for instance, had hit a mere .147 over 69 games. The ongoing issues, further compounded by utility man Oswaldo Cabrera’s fractured ankle, made third base a “severe positional weak spot” that demanded immediate attention. This trade signifies a decisive move by the Yankees to rectify a deficiency that has plagued them.
Ryan McMahon: A Deeper Dive into the New Third Baseman
At 30 years old, Ryan McMahon arrives in New York as a nine-year MLB veteran known primarily for his exceptional defensive skills. He has consistently been graded as a plus-defender, earning a “Gold Glove defender” endorsement from National League scouts. This season, McMahon ranked tied for third among all third basemen in “outs above average” (OAA), and his FanGraphs metrics show him at plus-four in both defensive runs saved (DRS) and OAA. His defensive reliability is precisely what the Yankees need to mitigate their “brutal fielding woes,” particularly on the left side of the infield, where their third basemen had collectively accumulated a concerning minus-6 in OAA.
Offensively, McMahon presents a more complex picture. While he was an All-Star just a year prior and has shown consistent power, hitting at least 20 home runs in each of the past four seasons, his current 2025 slash line of .217/.314/.403 with a .717 OPS raises some questions. A significant concern lies in his “stark home-away splits,” a common issue for players leaving the hitter-friendly Coors Field. His road OPS (.589) is notably lower than his home OPS (.856), sparking discussions about his offensive consistency outside of Colorado. Despite this, his left-handed bat could benefit significantly from Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch, potentially unlocking an offensive resurgence. McMahon’s contract runs through 2027, with approximately $4.5 million remaining this season and $16 million for each of the next two years, all of which the Yankees are reportedly taking on.
The Prospect Package: Maintaining Future Ammunition
In exchange for McMahon, the Colorado Rockies received two promising pitching prospects from the Yankees’ farm system: left-hander Griffin Herring and right-hander Josh Grosz.
Griffin Herring: Ranked as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 22-year-old southpaw was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He boasts impressive numbers, including a 2.22 ERA in eight High-A starts and an even more dominant 1.21 ERA in eight Single-A starts this season. Known for a low-90s fastball complemented by a “devastating slider,” Herring appears to be “a few years away from being ready for the majors” but holds significant long-term potential for the Rockies.
Josh Grosz: The right-hander, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 21 prospect, posted a 4-8 record with a 4.14 ERA across 15 starts and one relief outing in High-A Hudson Valley. Like Herring, Grosz is estimated to be “a few years away from being ready.”
Crucially, this trade allows the Yankees to retain their highest-rated prospects, such as Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. This strategic decision aligns with both the front office’s apparent reluctance to part with top-tier talent for short-term rentals and the overwhelming sentiment of the fanbase. A recent SB Nation Reacts survey showed a “resounding ‘No'” from 76 percent of fans regarding trading Jones or Lombard Jr. for a rental like Eugenio Suárez, highlighting a desire to protect the future. This approach provides the Yankees with “more ammunition” to pursue further upgrades, particularly in their pitching staff, without sacrificing their long-term organizational health.
Strategic Priorities and What Comes Next
Before acquiring McMahon, the Yankees had been strongly linked to Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez, who had been enjoying a stellar offensive season (leading the NL with 86 RBIs and second with 36 HRs). However, talks reportedly stalled due to a “sizable gap in value” between the parties, leading the Yankees to pivot to McMahon. This pivot underscores the team’s commitment to addressing immediate defensive needs while being judicious with their prospect capital.
The acquisition of McMahon also provides clarity on the Yankees’ broader trade deadline strategy. Insider Joel Sherman reported earlier that the Yankees were prioritizing pitching at this deadline. By acquiring McMahon without depleting their elite prospect pool, the Bronx Bombers maintain flexibility to fortify their rotation and bullpen. Currently four games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East standings, the Yankees are actively scouting a diverse group of nine teams, including potential “wild card” partners like the crosstown Mets, as they seek further reinforcements. This indicates a high-stakes period for General Manager Brian Cashman, whose decisions over the next few days will significantly shape the team’s postseason aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of player is Ryan McMahon and what does he bring to the Yankees?
Ryan McMahon is a 30-year-old veteran third baseman primarily known for his elite defensive capabilities. He is considered a “Gold Glove defender,” with strong metrics in “outs above average” (OAA) and “defensive runs saved” (DRS), which directly addresses the Yankees’ defensive struggles at the position. Offensively, he’s a left-handed hitter with consistent power, having hit 20+ home runs in the past four seasons, and could benefit from Yankee Stadium’s short porch. While his road offensive splits raise some concerns, his defensive prowess is his immediate value.
What prospects did the Yankees trade to acquire Ryan McMahon?
The Yankees sent two pitching prospects to the Colorado Rockies: left-hander Griffin Herring and right-hander Josh Grosz. Herring, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect, is a 22-year-old southpaw known for his “devastating slider” and impressive Single-A and High-A numbers this season. Grosz, ranked No. 21, is a right-hander who performed in High-A. Both are estimated to be a few years away from Major League readiness, allowing the Yankees to retain their top-tier prospects for potential future trades or development.
Why did the Yankees prioritize acquiring Ryan McMahon for third base?
The Yankees prioritized Ryan McMahon to address a long-standing and “glaring hole” at third base, which had been a significant defensive liability. Players like DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas had struggled both offensively and defensively at the position. McMahon’s proven defensive reliability and left-handed bat offer immediate stability and a strategic fit for Yankee Stadium, especially as the team looks to solidify its roster for a playoff push. This move also allowed them to preserve their top prospects for potential pitching acquisitions.
What’s Next for the Bronx Bombers?
With Ryan McMahon now anchoring third base, the New York Yankees have shored up a critical defensive weakness. This strategic trade, which kept the team’s top-tier prospects intact, signals that further moves, particularly for pitching reinforcements, remain on the table. As the July 31st deadline looms, the Bronx Bombers are positioned to make additional impactful acquisitions, aiming to close the gap in the AL East and cement their status as a legitimate World Series contender. The focus now shifts to the mound, where the Yankees will likely seek to fortify their rotation and bullpen for the demanding stretch run.
