Yankees Bolster Third Base with Ryan McMahon Acquisition
The New York Yankees have made a strategic move to strengthen their roster. The team has acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, in a trade announced this Friday. In return, the Rockies will receive minor league pitchers Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz.
According to sources, the Yankees will assume McMahon’s remaining contract, which involves approximately $4.5 million for the rest of 2025 and $32 million in the following two seasons.
McMahon, who was an All-Star last season, presents outstanding numbers so far in 2025. At 30 years old, the player exhibits a batting average of .217 with 16 home runs and an OPS of .717 in 100 games with Colorado.
After a complicated start to the season, his performance has improved significantly, averaging .246 in batting, 14 home runs, and an OPS of .804. McMahon is on track to maintain his streak of four consecutive years with at least 20 home runs.
In terms of defense, McMahon is recognized as a Gold Glove caliber third baseman, with four Outs Above Average, ranking third in the majors this season.
The arrival of McMahon comes at a time when the Yankees have shown some defensive deficiencies. Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on McMahon: “He’s had offensive ups and downs this year. I know that, in the last month, he’s been hitting very well, but he’s a presence, and he can really defend at third base and has done so for several years. So we’re excited to have him.”
McMahon’s offensive production, with an OPS+ of 92, suggests a significant improvement for the Yankees at third base. The team has had Oswald Peraza playing at third base almost daily, who has struggled at the plate.
Peraza, despite being a good defender, has a batting average of .147/.208/.237 in 69 games this season.
McMahon, who has played his first eight seasons with the Rockies, was selected in the second round of the 2013 draft. Now, he joins the Yankees, a team with aspirations of winning the World Series.
The price for McMahon, and the team’s control over him in the next two seasons, was a pair of pitchers who haven’t yet reached Double-A.
Herring, 22, has an ERA of 1.71 in 89⅓ innings in 16 starts between Low-A and High-A this season. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft.
Grosz, selected in the eleventh round in 2023, has an ERA of 4.14 in 87 innings across 16 games (15 starts) for High-A Hudson Valley this season.
With third base secured, the Yankees will look to acquire pitchers to reinforce their rotation and bullpen. The return of Luis Gil could also be a big boost. The right-handed pitcher, who has been out all season due to a back injury, made his third rehab start on Wednesday. Boone said there’s “a good possibility” that Gil will make another start in the minors before debuting this season.
