The Yankees, once the fearsome juggernaut of the American League, are reportedly eyeing a third baseman at the trade deadline, and somehow, this is who we’re talking about? Ryan McMahon? Really?
McMahon’s Numbers Don’t Match the Yankees
Let’s talk this through because this isn’t just about McMahon. It’s about a pattern. It’s about how the Yankees, year after year, get right up to the edge of greatness, look at the opportunity in front of them, and go, “Eh, how about a budget fix instead?” That’s what Ryan McMahon represents: a bargain-bin answer to a premium-position problem.
McMahon’s got the look on paper—sort of. Sure, he flashed All-Star form last year in the first half. Twenty home runs a year, solid enough glove, a lefty swing with potential appeal in Yankee Stadium. But if we’re going to squint that hard, why not just stick with what we’ve got? Because of the second half of last year? Rough. This year? Rougher. A .213 average heading into mid-July? That’s not a slump—that’s a season.
The Colorado Mirage: Inflated Stats and Thin Air
And let’s not forget where he plays: Colorado. Beautiful stadium, great city, and a nightmare when it comes to scouting hitters. That thin air inflates stats like a July 4th parade balloon. McMahon’s career has always leaned heavily on his home numbers, and 2025 is no exception. Despite that, his production is down. And when you run the numbers through Baseball Savant’s park-adjusted metrics? He’d have fewer home runs in Yankee Stadium than he does now.
Not the Upgrade the Yankees Need Right Now
Now, yes, compared to Oswald Peraza, McMahon is an upgrade. But so is a traffic cone, and nobody’s trading prospects for one of those. As for DJ LeMahieu, who was just placed for assignment, he might be aging, but he’s a known quantity. And more importantly, he’s shown he can handle New York.
What we’ve got here is classic Brian Cashman bargain-hunting. There’s nothing wrong with looking for value—but when you’re a legitimate contender, playing in the most challenging market, in the middle of a win-now window, “value” isn’t good enough. You need impact. You need game-changers. And if the Yankees want to be more than a second-round exit in October, they’d better aim higher, fast.
