Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are delivering substantial offensive firepower for the New York Yankees, but additional support would be beneficial. Can general manager Brian Cashman craft a trade proposal compelling enough to convince the Colorado Rockies to part with third baseman Ryan McMahon?
Chris Kirshner and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic have created several hypothetical trade scenarios, with former general manager Jim Bowden providing his insights. Here’s one that would send McMahon to the Bronx:
Yankees receive: Infielder Ryan McMahon
Rockies receive: Right-handed pitcher Will Warren and outfielder Brandon Mayea
Bowden commented, “I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides. McMahon would be a perfect fit as the Yankees’ next third baseman. The proposed return is fair market value, although if I were the Rockies, I’d try to include Oswaldo Cabrera as a fourth player in the deal.”
MLB.com ranks Warren (seventh) and Mayea (ninth) among New York’s top 10 prospects. They are at different stages of their minor-league careers, with Warren close to the majors in Triple-A and Mayea, an 18-year-old, in Rookie Ball.
The Yankees Have Already Been Linked to McMahon
Reports indicate that the Yankees are looking to upgrade their infield ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, primarily focusing on first and second base. Acquiring McMahon for third base would significantly boost manager Aaron Boone’s offense.
This isn’t the first time McMahon has been linked to the Yankees this month. On June 4, ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggested McMahon as a potential fit in his early MLB trade deadline primer.
“With Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, what more do you need? Well, another high-octane bullpen arm would be nice. Maybe a corner-infield bat? (McMahon would be a perfect fit, actually),” he said.
McMahon, a left-handed hitter, is having a strong season, hitting .277/.353/.476 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI, and 42 runs scored in 336 plate appearances. His .830 OPS would be a career-high if the season ended on June 28.
He’s also attractive to the Yankees due to his contract status and positional versatility. Signed through 2027 on a six-year, $70 million deal, McMahon is set to earn $12 million in 2024 and 2025, with an increase to $16 million in 2026 and 2027. His luxury tax salary is $11.67 million, which would help lower New York’s payroll, aligning with team owner Hal Steinbrenner’s goals. McMahon has logged at least 400 innings at first, second, and third base since his big-league debut in 2017.
The Rockies Aren’t Planning on Making McMahon Available
As with any trade proposal, it requires two willing teams. If the Yankees seriously pursue McMahon, Cashman must assemble a package that convinces Colorado to consider the deal.
According to the Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders on June 24, “Despite plenty of rumors and speculation, there is nearly zero chance the Rockies will move ‘RyMac,’ who has a chance to be a first-time All-Star this summer. The Rockies love the left side of their infield with McMahon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Owner Dick Monfort loves McMahon, and McMahon’s contract is team-friendly.”
While “nearly zero” isn’t “zero,” there’s a small chance the Rockies could reconsider. With about a month left before the trade deadline, much can change based on market developments.
Even if a trade seems unlikely, it’s clear why McMahon is a good fit for the Yankees. Cashman will likely make some calls over the next few weeks to explore the Rockies’ plans.
