Yankees Secure Ryan McMahon: Solid Defense, Modest Offense at Third Base

Ryan Mcmahon

New York Yankees traded Ryan McMahon from the Rockies by sending Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz to them. Explore McMahon’s stats, contract, trade impact, Yankees trade rumors and prospect fallout.

 🧭 Trade Announcement & Immediate Context

On July 25, 2025, the New York Yankees acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for two pitching prospects: LHP Griffin Herring and RHP Josh Grosz.
McMahon joins New York amid ongoing struggles at third base and numerous errors committed by current infielders.

 📊 Ryan McMahon Career

A 2024 MLB All-Star Ryan McMahon posted a 2025 line of approximately .217/.314/.403 with 16 HR, .717 OPS and 127 strikeouts over 100 games. His career totals through July 2025 include a .240 average, 138 HR, 447 RBI and strong defensive metrics 4 Outs Above Average which places him in the defensive elite league wide for third basemen. McMahon’s strikeout rate (~30%) and poor road splits are counterbalanced by his consistent power, hard work and fielding reliability.

 💼 Contract Details & Financial Implications

The Yankees assume McMahon’s contract: remaining ~$4.5M in 2025, and $16M per year in 2026–27.
This longer-term deal contrasts with the potential rental nature of other trade targets like Eugenio Suárez making McMahon a stable and financially predictable addition.

 🤝 What the Yankees Gave Up: Prospect Report

  • Griffin Herring (LHP): No. 8 Yankees prospect, dominant with a 1.71 ERA, and over 100 strikeouts in 16 starts between Low- and High-A in 2025.
  • Josh Grosz (RHP): Ranked No. 21; posted strong command in High-A (2.83 K/BB ratio) and a 4.14 ERA across minor league levels.

While not headliners, both are solid developmental arms who bolster Colorado’s system as they move into rebuilding mode.

 📋 Yankees’ Need & Strategic Fit

Third base was a rotating carousel in 2025: after releasing DJ LeMahieu, the Yankees used more than six different players at 3B, none delivering consistent production posting a combined .645 OPS, among the worst in MLB.
Manager Aaron Boone has highlighted defense as a desired area of strength, and McMahon’s glove offers a clear upgrade over Oswald Peraza and others.

 ⚾ Trade Evaluation & Grades

  • CBS Sports gave the Yankees a B-grade, noting McMahon’s defense and consistency, while pointing out limitations offensively and strikeout tendencies (~32%).
  • Sports Illustrated (SI) rated the trade a B−, viewing it as pragmatic—Colorado gets organizational pitching pieces, and the Yankees fill a glaring need while avoiding overpaying for a rental slugger.

 🧠 Manager & Analyst Perspectives

Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone praised McMahon as an above-average defender who can stabilize the infield, expecting him to be a key piece defensively while the offense sorts itself out.
Scouts recognized him as the best available third-base upgrade for New York—though not a flashy choice, he fits needs at a manageable cost.

 ⚡ Fan & Media Reaction

Reddit fans reacted positively:

“Defense alone is a huge upgrade… now they can focus on pitching.”
“Griffin Herring could be solid, but McMahon is proven D.”
Common praise centered on defensive gain and roster flexibility preserved by avoiding a high-cost veteran move like Suárez.

 🧭 Broader Trade Deadline & Team Outlook

With the trade deadline looming (July 31), Yankees still eye pitching reinforcements—rotation is strained due to injuries to Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt.
Colorado continues shedding veterans and building depth—trading McMahon fits their aim to restock the farm system while rebuilding.

 📈 Ryan McMahon’s Future Impact

  • Immediate impact: improved infield defense, better hotspot at 3B vs shifting backups.
  • Offensive potential: still capable of 20+ HR per season; Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch may elevate his power numbers .
  • Long-term value: under club control through 2027, offering multi-year stability.

 

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