Yankees-Rockies trade idea sends $70 million All-Star to New York after scary injury
The New York Yankees are urgently seeking a replacement for third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, who suffered a severe ankle injury during a game. Cabrera had been a bench player for most of his career, and his injury leaves the Yankees in need of a reliable third base option since current alternatives Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu have not been performing well. Baseball writer Zach Kaplan suggests that the Yankees should pursue a trade for Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, a 2024 All-Star with a left-handed infield bat suitable for New York. Although the Rockies previously declined trade offers due to McMahon's personal life preferences, their poor performance in 2025 might prompt them to reconsider trading him to the Yankees, who need his skills at Yankee Stadium. McMahon's current mediocre performance and a substantial contract might be factors in the trade discussions, but his potential fit with the Yankees' lineup remains a key consideration.
Context:
The New York Yankees are urgently seeking a replacement for third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, who suffered a severe ankle injury during a game. Cabrera had been a bench player for most of his career, and his injury leaves the Yankees in need of a reliable third base option since current alternatives Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu have not been performing well. Baseball writer Zach Kaplan suggests that the Yankees should pursue a trade for Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, a 2024 All-Star with a left-handed infield bat suitable for New York. Although the Rockies previously declined trade offers due to McMahon's personal life preferences, their poor performance in 2025 might prompt them to reconsider trading him to the Yankees, who need his skills at Yankee Stadium. McMahon's current mediocre performance and a substantial contract might be factors in the trade discussions, but his potential fit with the Yankees' lineup remains a key consideration.
Dive Deeper:
Oswaldo Cabrera's injury has left the Yankees scrambling for a third base solution as he was taken off the field after fracturing his ankle, leaving a significant gap in their lineup.
With Cabrera sidelined, the Yankees are not confident in Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu as long-term solutions due to their recent performances, prompting considerations for an external acquisition.
Zach Kaplan advocates for acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, emphasizing his suitability as a left-handed infield bat for the Yankees and his previous All-Star status in 2024.
The Rockies had previously declined to trade McMahon, citing his desire to stay in Colorado following personal family developments, but their current poor season might lead to a different stance.
Ryan McMahon is currently under a six-year, $70 million contract with the Rockies, but his performance has been hindered by Coors Field's conditions, making a trade potentially beneficial for both teams.
The Yankees see McMahon's pull-oriented lefty swing as a strategic advantage at Yankee Stadium, hoping the Rockies will decide to trade him while they can still gain value from the transaction.
There is ongoing speculation about the Rockies' decision-making abilities, with analysts hoping they will realize the potential benefits of trading McMahon amidst their lackluster season start.
The New York Yankees saw something no one ever wants to see on a baseball field on Monday night. Now, they have to start thinking about backup plans.
Oswaldo Cabrera had been the Yankees' most frequent starting third baseman all season, but he had to be taken off the field in an ambulance after fracturing his ankle on a play at the plate. It was a scary moment, as Cabrera was in obvious pain and several players were visibly shaken up.
The Yankees already had to be considering other options at third base this year, because Cabrera has been a bench player for most of his career. Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu will attempt to fill the void for now, but neither inspires a lot of confidence based on recent performance.
To that end, one baseball writer is calling on New York to make a splash on the trade market.
On Tuesday, Zach Kaplan of Athlon wrote that the Yankees "must trade" for Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, a 2024 All-Star who has made sense as a left-handed infield bat for New York for quite some time.
"The Yankees reportedly called the Rockies about McMahon prior to the 2024 trade deadline, and the Rockies declined a trade, listing McMahon's desire to stay in Colorado after welcoming a daughter with his wife Natalie last February," Kaplan wrote.
"However, the Rockies, amid their atrocious start to 2025, could entertain calls on McMahon, who represents one of the only players teams could express interest in."
McMahon, 30, is off to a mediocre start with a .735 OPS so far this season, but he's always been somewhat punished by playing at Coors Field, because he's not a true power threat and struggles to adjust to the change in conditions on the road. He's in year four of a six-year, $70 million extension.
If the Rockies have any baseball sense, they'll trade McMahon this year, assuming he's putting up even half-decent numbers by the deadline. But there's seemingly a new deep dive story written every day now about how the Rockies have no baseball sense to speak of.
The Yankees will have to hope Colorado finally sees the writing on the wall and moves McMahon while they can still get decent value for him. He'd be a great fit for Yankee Stadium in particular with his pull-oriented lefty swing.
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