The Yankees found their third baseman on July 25. Former All-Star Ryan McMahon was packaged to the Yankees via trade, with the Rockies getting two pitching prospects. One of those prospects was a breakout start in the Yankees’ farm system this season.

The Yankees’ Return

• 3B Ryan McMahon (.217/.314/.403, 16 HR and 32 XBH over 100 GP)

From a strictly statistical standpoint, one would think Ryan McMahon would fit in Yankee Stadium.

McMahon hit 20+ home runs in each of his last five full seasons (not counting 2020), and with 16 this year, is on a path to do so again in 2025. The 30-year-old is actually barreling up baseball at a career-best 7.2 Barrel/PA, works counts, and possesses above-average bat speed.

Not to mention, he’s a pull-heavy hitter who has the potential to thrive at Yankee Stadium, traditionally a friendly ballpark for left-handed hitters.

But like with many hitters in Major League Baseball, McMahon has his flaws.

The new Yankee has traditionally rated below-average in terms of strikeouts. Among all players in MLB with 250+ PA, his 31.7% K% is seventh-highest in the Majors.

There are some takeaways from those numbers. One, McMahon averaged more than 4.2 pitches per plate appearance this season. He works deep into counts. But, he will get stymied against breaking balls and offspeed low, as well as occasionally whiff on fastballs up.

Additionally, the home/road splits — career-wise — are stark. McMahon slugged .476 in Coors Field, with a .362 SLG on the road. However, he will be entering a friendly environment for hitting in The Bronx.

Defensively, McMahon is among the best in Outs Above Average (+4) this season. While he’s never won a Gold Glove, McMahon is considered a plus defender at third.

McMahon is signed through the 2027 season. Per reports, the Yankees will take on the rest of the six-year, $70MM deal.

The Rockies’ Return

• SP Griffin Herring (1.71 ERA, 102 K over 89.1 IP (A and A+))
• SP Josh Grosz (4.14 ERA, 94 K over 87 IP (A+))

Colorado picked up two pitching prospects, with the marquee prize being Griffin Herring.

Herring, a left-hander out of LSU, was a sixth-round draft pick last year by the Yankees. The 22-year-old left-hander only made one start in his two seasons with the Tigers, thanks largely to the fact that he was buried on the pitching depth chart in favor of the likes of Paul Skenes, Ty Floyd, and Thatcher Hurd.

However, Herring put up strong numbers. The lefty struck out 108 career batters over 84.2 IP across his two seasons with the Tigers. And this year, Herring’s been incredible in A-ball. Between Tampa (A) and Hudson Valley (A+), Herring struck out 102 batters over 89.1 combined innings.

Low-A wasn’t much of a challenge for Herring; he had a 45.8% Whiff% on the four-seam, and a 40.9% Whiff% on the slider. The 22-year-old has deception in the delivery, and what should excite fans in Colorado is his ability to induce ground balls (1.28 GO/AO).

Herring has four pitches, a low-to-mid-80s changeup with sinking action, along with a biting slider that runs away from left-handed hitters. The four-seamer isn’t a high velo one, as he’ll sit in the 91-94 MPH. However, both his two-seamer (it’s not a sinker, despite the listed name) and four-seamer had carry and movement, with the former being more of a runner.

The other piece in this deal is Josh Grosz, who, like Herring, was in High-A as of the trade.

Grosz was drafted in the 11th round two years ago out of East Carolina. The 6’4” right-hander struck out 131 across 121.2 IP between three levels last season, most of which came in Low-A and High-A. He made one spot start in Double-A. Grosz worked with three pitches: a low-to-mid-90s fastball, along with a changeup and slider.

This season, he struck out 94 over 87 frames in High-A. Opposing batters hit just .211 off him.

Analysis

While the social media discourse regarding this trade screamed, “Where is Eugenio Suarez,” let’s digest this trade for a second.

From the Rockies’ perspective, Colorado moved off one of their most tradeable assets. The Rockies have been reluctant to do so in recent years. In return, Colorado received much-needed pitching help, with the crown jewel being Griffin Herring, an arm who could fit well in Coors Field.

Now, no, the Yankees didn’t get Eugenio Suarez. However, the Yankees didn’t break the bank; the team didn’t surrender one of their top-tier pitching prospects (Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham). Although losing Herring is significant, as he’s awfully close to some of those names in terms of value.

McMahon is controllable and fundamentally sound at third, something the Yankees need, particularly since their infield defense has been less-than-stellar. Plus, McMahon will have more support around him in the Yankees’ lineup. Which could help him get more desirable pitches.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including our recap of the Mets’ trade for Gregory Soto.