Yankees Trade for Rockies’ McMahon Ahead of Deadline Push

The New York Yankees made a move to strengthen their infield, acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. In exchange, the Yankees sent minor league pitchers Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz to Colorado.

McMahon, 30, brings power, defense, and experience to a Yankees team trying to stay in the playoff race. He joined the Yankees’ active roster immediately and batted eighth in Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

McMahon’s Contract and Stats

According to a report from ESPN, the Yankees are taking on the remainder of McMahon’s contract — about $4.5 million for the rest of 2025 and $32 million over the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

A National League All-Star last year, McMahon is hitting .217 with 16 home runs and a .717 OPS through 100 games this season. He leads the NL with 127 strikeouts, but his bat has heated up since May. Since the start of May, McMahon is hitting .246 with 14 home runs and an .804 OPS. He homered twice just after the All-Star break and added another long ball on Tuesday. He’s on pace to hit at least 20 home runs for a fifth straight season.

Glove First, But Still an Upgrade

McMahon is also one of the best defensive third basemen in the game. His four Outs Above Average rank third in MLB at the position. That’s good news for a Yankees team that’s struggled with defense — committing four errors in a single game against the AL East-leading Blue Jays earlier this week.

“He has had some ups and downs offensively this year,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of McMahon. “I know, over the last month, he’s really swinging the bat well, but he’s a presence, and he can really defend over there at third and has for a number of years. So, we’re excited to get him.”

Filling a Glaring Need

McMahon represents a clear upgrade at third base for the Yankees, who have struggled to find consistent production at the position. Oswald Peraza has been the primary third baseman since the team released DJ LeMahieu earlier this month and moved Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base.

Peraza has been solid defensively but is hitting just .147 with a .208 on-base percentage and a .237 slugging percentage across 69 games. His 24 wRC+ ranks last among all MLB hitters with at least 160 plate appearances.

While McMahon’s 92 OPS+ shows he’s slightly below average offensively this season, he’s still a big improvement compared to what the Yankees have had.

McMahon Leaves Struggling Rockies

McMahon spent over eight years with Colorado after being drafted in the second round in 2013. He became a regular starter in 2019 and was a steady presence during the team’s decline. The Rockies are 26–76 this year and could be headed for one of the worst records in MLB history.

Now, he joins a Yankees team with postseason hopes — and more pressure.

“Hopefully, the environment is great for him, that he falls into that and doesn’t have to be the guy.” Boone said. “Go do your thing. Go find the role. But it’s our job — my job, staff, coaches, players — to make sure they’re welcomed and get them as comfortable as possible.”

Rockies Get Two Young Arms

To get McMahon and his two years of team control, the Yankees gave up two pitching prospects who haven’t reached Double-A yet.

Herring, 22, has a 1.71 ERA across 89 1/3 innings in 16 starts between Low-A and High-A this season. He was a sixth-round pick from LSU in 2024.

Josh Grosz, an 11th-round pick in 2023, has a 4.14 ERA over 87 innings in 16 appearances (15 starts) for High-A Hudson Valley.

Yankees Still Eyeing Pitching Help

The trade for McMahon fills a major hole, but the Yankees are still looking to add pitching. Right-hander Luis Gil is nearing a return from a lat injury that’s kept him out all season. He made his third rehab start Wednesday, and Boone said there’s “a good chance” he makes one more minor league appearance before returning to the majors.