The New York Yankees have finally tackled their third base dilemma by acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. The deal, confirmed by Jon Heyman, involves two pitching prospects, Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz.
The Yankees had also expressed interest in Diamondbacks star Eugenio Suárez, who leads the National League in RBIs but the trade talks fell through due to differences in compensation. Suárez had entered Friday with impressive stats: 86 RBIs and 36 home runs.
McMahon, at 30, is known for his strong defensive skills, crucial for a Yankees team grappling with infield challenges. This year, he ranks third among all third basemen in outs above average. However, his performance at the plate has been less stellar, with a .217 batting average, 16 home runs, and 35 RBIs this season.
Interestingly, McMahon’s home and away performance shows a stark contrast. While he excels at Coors Field, hitting with an OPS of .856, his away performance plummets to an OPS of just .589. This raises questions about how he will adapt in the competitive environment of Yankee Stadium.
A scout mentioned, “I think McMahon would flourish for them. He’ll be playing more meaningful games, and with the short porch, as a left-handed hitter, he could really shine.”
The Yankees are taking on McMahon’s full contract, which amounts to about $4.5 million for the remainder of this year, plus $16 million for each of the next two seasons.
Herring, one of the prospects traded, is a left-handed pitcher with a strong showing in the minor leagues, boasting a 2.22 ERA in High-A and a 1.21 ERA in Single-A. Grosz, on the other hand, is a righty with a 4.14 ERA in High-A.
This trade reflects both teams’ current standings. The Rockies are struggling while the Yankees are in a playoff race. McMahon may bring the stability and defensive prowess the Yankees desperately need as they push into the latter part of the season.
If McMahon adjusts well, he could be a key player in the Yankees’ roster, contributing significantly in both defense and offense as they aim for the postseason. For now, fans are hopeful that this change will reshape the team’s fortunes.
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