Yankees Could Terminate Contract of $70 Million All-Star

The New York Yankees face pressing questions about their infield as the disappointing 2026 season comes to a close.

Third baseman Ryan McMahon, acquired from the Colorado Rockies at the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for pitching prospects, has yet to establish himself as a reliable everyday contributor in the Bronx.

With the final year of his six-year, $70 million contract looming in 2027 at a $16 million salary, the organization appears ready to explore options for moving on from the former All-Star rather than carrying his production issues into another campaign.

TJ French of Heavy.com feels the Yankees should dump McMahon via trade in the offseason. French noted that McMahon holds limited trade value after struggling to generate power outside the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, and that finding a team willing to absorb the remaining year of his deal will prove difficult.

French’s expectation is that New York will seek to part ways one way or another before the 2027 season begins and then pursue a replacement through the trade market, with names such as Isaac Paredes, Ketel Marte, Matt Chapman, and CJ Abrams among those viewed as potentially available.

McMahon’s 2026 numbers underscored the disconnect between the acquisition’s original rationale and the results on the field. In 124 games he hit .213 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 76, finishing with a 0.0 bWAR.

That followed a similarly modest stretch in 2025, when he posted a 78 OPS+ in 159 at-bats with the Yankees. The left-handed bat that once produced All-Star production for Colorado has not translated, leaving a soft offensive profile that has not been offset by consistent defensive value.

An error in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, which helped fuel a big inning, further illustrated the broader shortcomings.

Moving on from McMahon could also create roster flexibility, potentially opening at-bats for a right-handed hitter to improve lineup balance while allowing the front office to reallocate resources toward more impactful additions.

The original trade was intended to stabilize third base after years of instability at the position, yet the experiment has fallen short of expectations.

With free agency approaching and other infield decisions, including the future of Jazz Chisholm Jr., still unresolved, the Yankees have a clear opportunity to reshape the group.

Fans have grown accustomed to high payroll investments yielding contention-level results, and carrying an underperforming $16 million player risks further frustration.

Exploring the trade market for McMahon now would allow the organization to reset the position, seek a more productive alternative, and better position the roster for a competitive 2027 season.

And if no trade is available? Clearly, French feels New York should cut ties with McMahon regardless.