The New York Yankees are currently doing well. While team owner Hal Steinbrenner would want to reduce his salary to less than $300 million, the outcomes this season have been difficult to argue with. As of June 4, the Bombers had a 42-19 record, giving them a 2.5-game lead in the American League East. Could general manager Brian Cashman target Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon at the trade deadline?
In his early MLB trade deadline primer, ESPN’s Jeff Passan examined what the Yankees could do to strengthen their club for the postseason.
“When you have Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, what else do you need? Well, another powerful bullpen arm would be ideal. Perhaps a corner infield bat? ((Ryan) McMahon would be an excellent fit, actually),” he stated. “Otherwise, the Yankees look awfully good, and that’s before they get the equivalent of a megatrade: the return of reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.”
McMahon is presently in his ninth major league season, all with the Rockies. He’s had four seasons with 20 or more home runs during that time. He also hits.In his first 250 plate appearances in 2024, he batted 284/.371/.470 with 10 home runs, 10 doubles, 34 RBI, and 29 runs scored.
The infielder is in the midst of a six-year, $70 million contract that he signed before 2022. The contract goes until 2027 and pays him $12 million per year from 2024-25 and $16 million per year from 2026-27, according to Spotrac.
McMahon Would Help the Yankees with Their Greatest Need.
The Yankees’ offence has been excellent this season. Having American League MVP Award frontrunners like Judge and Soto leading the way is beneficial. However, it has been previously stated that New York’s right side of the infield has not performed as expected.
This includes first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Gleyber Torres. On June 3, Jim Bowden of The Athletic said that if performance does not improve, the Yankees may consider upgrading at the deadline. So, Passan’s statement about McMahon being a “perfect fit” for the Bombers makes sense here.
McMahon is mostly a third baseman, although he also offers some defensive versatility. He’s played 450.2 innings at first base and 1,777.2 innings at second base in his career. This might allow Yankees manager Aaron Boone to mix and match across the diamond based on the day’s opponents.
This Would Also Benefit New York Beyond 2024.
It has been documented that Steinbrenner wishes to reduce New York’s salary in the future, claiming that the current level is “not sustainable” for them. Adding someone like McMahon might perhaps help the club win another World Series title. However, it could make it easier for the Yankees to meet their goals in 2025 and beyond.
Several Bombers players could be released at the end of the season. Torres and Rizzo, for example, will earn a total of $31.2 million in 2024. McMahon’s arrival may make those selections easier, as well as provide insurance for veteran third baseman DJ LeMahieu.
Having cost certainty on a proven big-league bat would also allow the Yankees to try to spend the monies needed to keep Soto when he becomes a free agency after the season.
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