JUST IN: Yankees Trade $70 Million Infielder to NY in 3-Player Swap
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are delivering plenty of offense for the New York Yankees, but they could use additional support. Can general manager Brian Cashman devise a trade proposal to convince the Colorado Rockies to part with third baseman Ryan McMahon?
Chris Kirshner and Brendan Kuty from The Athletic proposed several hypothetical trade scenarios, with former general manager Jim Bowden providing his insights. Here’s a trade scenario that would send McMahon to the Yankees:
**Yankees receive:** Infielder Ryan McMahon
**Rockies receive:** Right-handed pitcher Will Warren and outfielder Brandon Mayea
Bowden’s critique of the deal states, “I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides. McMahon would be a perfect fit to become the Yankees’ next third baseman. The suggested return is fair market value in my opinion, although if I’m the Rockies, I’d try to get Oswaldo Cabrera included as a fourth player in the deal.”
According to MLB.com, Warren and Mayea rank seventh and ninth, respectively, among New York’s top 10 prospects. Warren is on the verge of making it to the majors in Triple-A, while Mayea is an 18-year-old in Rookie Ball.
The Yankees Have Already Been Linked to McMahon
Previous reports indicate the Yankees are open to upgrading their infield ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, with much focus on first and second base. However, acquiring Ryan McMahon and slotting him in at third base would significantly boost manager Aaron Boone’s offense.
This isn’t the first time the Yankees and McMahon have been linked in trade rumors this month. On June 4, ESPN’s Jeff Passan mentioned the potential fit in his early MLB trade deadline primer.
“When you’ve got 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),” Passan said.
McMahon is having a stellar year at the plate, hitting .277/.353/.476 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI, and 42 runs scored in 336 plate appearances. If the season ended on June 28, his .830 OPS would be a career-high mark.
McMahon’s appeal to the Yankees also lies in his contract status and positional versatility. Signed through 2027 on a six-year, $70 million deal, he’s earning $12 million in 2024 and 2025, with the amount increasing to $16 million in 2026 and 2027, according to Spotrac. Importantly, his luxury tax salary is just $11.67 million, which would help lower New York’s payroll moving forward—a priority for team owner Hal Steinbrenner. McMahon has logged at least 400 innings at first, second, and third base since his big-league debut in 2017, showcasing his versatility.
The Rockies Aren’t Planning on Making McMahon Available
As with any hypothetical trade proposal, it takes two teams to tango. If the Yankees seriously pursue Ryan McMahon, general manager Brian Cashman must put together a package that convinces Colorado to entertain the idea of parting with him.
“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 Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders said on June 24. “Why? The Rockies love the left side of their infield, featuring McMahon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. And because owner Dick Monfort loves McMahon. Plus, McMahon is locked up through the 2027 season, when he’ll be making $16 million at age 32. The Rockies believe McMahon’s contract is team-friendly.”
Of course, “nearly zero” isn’t “zero,” so there’s a small chance the Rockies change their mind. There’s about one month left before the trade deadline, and a lot can happen based on how the market develops.
Even though a trade seems unlikely, it’s easy to see why McMahon is a good fit for the Yankees. Cashman will likely make some phone calls over the next few weeks to see if anything changes regarding the Rockies’ deadline plans.