REPORT: Yankees Trade Proposal Sends $70 Million Infielder to NY in 3-Player Swap
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have been providing significant offensive firepower for the New York Yankees, but they could use some additional support. The question is whether general manager Brian Cashman can craft a trade proposal that would persuade the Colorado Rockies to trade their third baseman, Ryan McMahon.
Chris Kirshner and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic have devised several hypothetical trade scenarios and sought the opinion of former general manager Jim Bowden. One such scenario involves McMahon moving to the Bronx:
**Yankees receive:** infielder Ryan McMahon
**Rockies receive:** right-handed pitcher Will Warren and outfielder Brandon Mayea
“I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides,” Bowden commented. “McMahon would be an ideal fit as the Yankees’ next third baseman. The proposed return is fair market value in my opinion, although if I were the Rockies, I’d push to include Oswaldo Cabrera as a fourth player in the deal.”
According to MLB.com, Warren and Mayea rank seventh and ninth among New York’s top 10 prospects, respectively. Warren is close to reaching the majors, currently playing in Triple-A, while Mayea, at 18, is in Rookie Ball.
The Yankees Have Already Been Linked to McMahon
Previous reports have indicated that the Yankees are open to upgrading their infield before the July 30 trade deadline, focusing primarily on first and second base. However, acquiring Ryan McMahon and placing him at third base would significantly enhance manager Aaron Boone’s offense.
This isn’t the first time this month that the Yankees and McMahon have been mentioned in trade rumors. ESPN’s Jeff Passan highlighted this connection on June 4 in his early MLB trade deadline primer.
“With Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the lineup, what more do you need? Well, another high-powered bullpen arm would be nice. Maybe a corner-infield bat? (McMahon would be an excellent fit),” he said.
McMahon, a left-handed hitter, is having an outstanding season at the plate. He’s batting .277/.353/.476 with 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 42 runs scored in 336 plate appearances. If the season ended on June 28, his .830 OPS would be a career-high.
His contract status and positional versatility make him particularly appealing to the Yankees. Signed through 2027 on a six-year, $70 million deal, McMahon is set to earn $12 million in 2024 and 2025, with the salary increasing to $16 million for 2026 and 2027, according to Spotrac. Importantly, his luxury tax salary is just $11.67 million, which would help lower New York’s payroll, aligning with team owner Hal Steinbrenner’s objectives. McMahon has logged at least 400 innings at first, second, and third base since his MLB debut in 2017.
The Rockies Aren’t Planning on Making McMahon Available
As with any hypothetical trade proposal, it takes both teams to come to an agreement. If the Yankees seriously pursue McMahon, Cashman will need to put together an enticing package to convince Colorado to consider the trade.
“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,” said Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post on June 24. “Why? The Rockies love the left side of their infield, featuring McMahon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Additionally, owner Dick Monfort is a big fan of 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.”
However, “nearly zero” isn’t the same as “zero,” so there’s a slight chance the Rockies could change their mind. With about a month left before the trade deadline, a lot can happen as the market develops.
Although a trade appears unlikely, McMahon’s fit with the Yankees is evident. Cashman will likely make some calls in the coming weeks to see if the Rockies’ stance changes regarding their trade deadline plans.