The New York Yankees made a notable move ahead of next week’s trade deadline by acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. This Ryan McMahon Yankees trade, involving pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz being sent to Colorado, aims to address the Yankees’ ongoing struggles at third base.
The Yankees have experimented heavily with their third-base position this season, trying six different players including Jazz Chisholm Jr. and DJ LeMahieu, who was tested in Spring Training. Among the group, Oswaldo Peraza has logged the most time there, appearing in 48 games. By bringing McMahon onboard, the Bronx Bombers hope to stabilize a spot that has seen too much turnover.
McMahon’s Defensive Reputation and Recent Performance
Ryan McMahon, who still has over two and a half years remaining on his contract, is recognized primarily for his defensive skills. He has been a National League Gold Glove finalist at third base for the past four seasons and ranks tied for fourth among MLB third basemen in Outs Above Average (OAA) for 2025, posting an OAA of 4 this year according to FanGraphs.
McMahon is expected to join the Yankees roster on Saturday and may debut as early as this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies. Offensively, his bat has begun to show signs of warmth lately, hitting .292 with three home runs and seven RBIs over his last seven games. However, his overall slash line this season stands at .217/.314/.403, complemented by 16 home runs and 35 RBIs. Despite the Rocky Mountains’ season hardships, McMahon’s contributions remain noteworthy.
Fan Discontent Over the Yankees’ Third Base Acquisition
While this Ryan McMahon Yankees trade resolves some defensive concerns, the reaction among fans on social media has been mixed and somewhat negative. The acquisition followed rumors linking the Yankees to Eugenio Suarez, a much stronger offensive player from the Arizona Diamondbacks who has launched 36 home runs this season. Fans expressed disappointment that the Bronx Bombers did not target Suarez instead.
Numerous tweets and posts on X highlighted dissatisfaction with McMahon’s batting stats compared to Suarez. Comments included blunt critiques such as “This is not Suarez” and remarks about McMahon’s low batting average around .217. Other voices quipped with skepticism, suggesting they might as well reinstate DJ LeMahieu if offense was a priority or questioned the logic behind the trade altogether.
Compared to McMahon, Eugenio Suarez’s offensive output is more impressive this year, hitting .249 with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs, which fuels the perception that the Yankees settled for a lesser option.
Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Appreciates McMahon’s Defensive Value
Despite the backlash, Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm about adding Ryan McMahon to the roster. Boone praised McMahon as
“an All-Star third baseman and a really good defender.”
He acknowledged the player‘s offensive inconsistencies this year but emphasized the defensive stability he brings.
He has been an All-Star third baseman and a really good defender. He has had his ups and downs offensively this year. … He is a presence and can really defend over there at third base for a number of years. We are excited to get him.
Aaron Boone said
Boone’s comments arrive during a difficult defensive stretch for the Yankees. In their recent series versus the Toronto Blue Jays, the team committed multiple errors, including four in a single 8-4 loss. Defensive struggles continued in their game against the Phillies, which ended in a 12-5 defeat, leaving the Yankees 5.5 games behind Toronto in the MLB standings.
Implications of McMahon’s Addition Amid Team Challenges
This acquisition reflects the Yankees’ urgent need to solidify a key defensive position as they chase playoff aspirations. While fans remain anxious and divided on McMahon’s offensive ceiling, Boone’s confidence in his defensive capabilities signals that the Yankees prioritize stabilizing third base behind the plate.
The upcoming games will test whether McMahon can elevate both his offensive contributions and shore up the team’s infield defense. Given the tight standings in the American League East, any improvement in defense could prove crucial down the stretch.
With next week’s trade deadline looming, this move might also indicate the Yankees’ strategy moving forward: focusing on reliable defense rather than chasing big-hitting but potentially less consistent third basemen. How fans and the team react to McMahon’s performance in the coming weeks will likely shape the Yankees’ plans for the remainder of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Ryan McMahon do?
A. Ryan McMahon has been a pioneer in Indigenous comedy and storytelling for almost twenty years. His aim is to challenge the usual ways of thinking and reshape the environment using humor and Indigenous stories.
Q. What was Ryan McMahon’s strikeout rate?
A. His strikeout rate of 34.2% was the second highest among players in both the Major Leagues and the National League.