What Happened
On July 25, 2025, the New York Yankees acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor league pitchers Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz. This trade comes as the Yankees sought to address significant struggles at the third base position, where they have received subpar offensive production throughout the season. McMahon, a 30-year-old All-Star from the previous season, was activated to the Yankees’ roster shortly after the trade and is expected to play a pivotal role in stabilizing the Yankees’ infield.
McMahon’s performance in 2025 has been mixed; he is batting .217 with 16 home runs and a .717 OPS over 100 games. Despite these numbers, he is recognized for his defensive capabilities, ranking among the top third basemen in the league with four Outs Above Average. The Yankees, who have struggled defensively this season, hope that McMahon’s skills will help improve their overall fielding performance.
Key Details
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Trade Details: The Yankees received Ryan McMahon and assumed the remainder of his contract, which includes approximately $4.5 million for the remainder of the 2025 season and $32 million over the next two seasons. In return, the Rockies received pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz.
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Player Statistics: McMahon has a batting average of .217, with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. His OPS of .717 is considered below average, but he has shown improvement since April. His defensive metrics indicate he is a Gold Glove-caliber player, which is a significant need for the Yankees, who have had issues at third base.
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Minor League Prospects: Griffin Herring, a 22-year-old left-handed pitcher, has a 1.71 ERA in 89.1 innings across 16 starts in the minors. Josh Grosz, also 22, has a 4.14 ERA in 87 innings over 16 games. Both players are seen as potential contributors to the Rockies’ future pitching staff.
Multiple Perspectives
Opinions on the trade vary among analysts and insiders. Some view McMahon as a solid addition for the Yankees, particularly due to his defensive prowess. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about McMahon’s ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, stating, “He is a presence and can really defend over there at third base.”
Conversely, some analysts point out McMahon’s inconsistent offensive production, noting that he has never had a season with an above-average wRC+ despite playing in a hitter-friendly environment at Coors Field. Critics argue that while McMahon may improve the Yankees’ defense, his offensive contributions may not significantly elevate the team’s overall performance.
From the Rockies’ perspective, the trade is seen as a step toward rebuilding. General Manager Bill Schmidt acknowledged the difficulty of parting with McMahon but emphasized the need to focus on building for the future. The acquisition of Herring and Grosz, while not elite prospects, is viewed as a positive move for a team in need of pitching depth.
Context & Background
The Yankees have faced considerable challenges at third base this season, with players like Oswald Peraza struggling offensively. The decision to acquire McMahon comes after the Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment and moved Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base, highlighting their urgent need for stability at the hot corner.
McMahon’s trade marks a significant moment for both franchises. For the Yankees, it is a chance to bolster their roster as they aim for a playoff run. For the Rockies, it signals a potential shift in strategy as they look to rebuild after years of disappointing performance, currently holding one of the worst records in Major League Baseball.
What We Don’t Know Yet
While the immediate implications of the trade are clear, several uncertainties remain. It is yet to be seen how McMahon will adapt to the pressures of playing in New York, especially after having spent his entire career with the Rockies. Analysts are also curious about how his performance will translate away from Coors Field, where he has historically fared better.
Additionally, the long-term impact of the trade on both teams is still uncertain. For the Yankees, the effectiveness of McMahon in improving their infield defense and contributing offensively will be closely monitored. For the Rockies, the development of Herring and Grosz into viable major league pitchers will be critical to their rebuilding efforts.
As the season progresses, the effectiveness of this trade will be evaluated based on McMahon’s performance and the development of the prospects acquired by the Rockies.
