In a move aimed at solidifying their infield defense and adding veteran stability, the New York Yankees have acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Yankees sent pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz to Colorado in return, completing a deal that underscores both teams’ diverging paths ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
McMahon, 30, brings elite defensive credentials and left-handed power to the Bronx. Over 100 games with the Rockies this season, he’s posted a slash line of .217/.314/.403 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs. While his average has dipped, McMahon remains a productive hitter against right-handed pitching and has shown improvement since the All-Star break, hitting .300 with three homers and seven RBIs in just six games.
Perhaps most valuable to New York is McMahon’s glove. He ranks near the top of all MLB third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average, a much-needed boost for a Yankees team that has struggled defensively on the left side of the infield. According to Statcast, McMahon is among the top five third basemen in fielding efficiency since 2021.
“Ryan is a steady presence,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “He brings a level of confidence and leadership in the infield that we’ve been missing. There’s real offensive upside there too, and we’re excited about the fit.”
The trade addresses a glaring weakness for New York. The club has cycled through several third basemen this season—DJ LeMahieu (recently released), Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas—but none have provided consistent offense or elite defense. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. now permanently moved to second base, McMahon steps in as the everyday third baseman.
McMahon is under contract through the 2027 season, owed approximately $4.2 million for the rest of 2025 and $16 million annually in 2026 and 2027. The Yankees will absorb the full financial commitment, adding an estimated $4.6 million to their luxury tax payroll this year. Despite the hit, the front office deemed the defensive upgrade and long-term control worth the cost.
On the other side, the Rockies continue their rebuild by adding two promising arms. Griffin Herring, a 22-year-old lefty, impressed in High-A with a 1.71 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 89.1 innings. Josh Grosz, 21, brings mid-90s velocity and a developing slider, having posted a 4.14 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 87 innings. Both now rank among the Rockies’ top 20 prospects, with Herring entering their top five.
“Griffin is a high-character guy with command and maturity beyond his years,” said a Yankees front office source. “He’ll be missed, but this was a necessary deal for where we are.”
With the Yankees just a few games out of first place in the AL East and chasing a deep postseason run, the acquisition of McMahon signals their aggressive posture heading into the deadline. Additional moves—particularly for bullpen help—are reportedly still on the table.
For now, the Yankeeshave locked down
