The New York Yankees are giving struggling infielder Ryan McMahon a break amid rumors that he could find a new team before the MLB trade deadline.
McMahon and fellow infielder Anthony Volpe have been named two of the top trade candidates as the Yankees aim to fill some roster holes, and the team decided to sit McMahon at the start of a critical series on Friday.
Ryan McMahon Hits the Bench Amid Trade Speculation
The Yankees announced on Friday that McMahon was going out of the lineup, replaced at third by veteran Amed Rosario. McMahon has appeared in 83 games this season, a steady presence in the infield despite some struggles both in the field and at the plate.
McMahon is hitting .214 this season with nine home runs and 26 RBIs, part of the greater struggles since Aaron Judge went out of the lineup.
Reporter Devon Platana of SI.com named McMahon as a likely trade candidate as the Yankees look to improve other positions, including catcher and bullpen.
âThe Yankees should do whatever it takes to move on from McMahon and upgrade 3B, as heâs due to make another $16 million next season before becoming a free agent,â Platana wrote. âItâs better to turn the page now when, hopefully, a team will be desperate enough to roll the dice on the former All-Star, rather than losing him for nothing in 2027.â
Platana suggested the Yankees could improve simply by moving McMahon out of their lineup.
âEven if a trade doesnât yield the biggest return, trading McMahon away would be addition by subtraction, leaving Boone & Co. with one less headache to worry about,â Platana wrote.
Yankees Face Trade Deadline Crunch
The Yankees have been connected to some top relief pitchers ahead of the trade deadline, including San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller. But The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported that the Padres aren’t likely to move Miller, and some other potential targets are off the board too.
Part of the difficulty comes from the rival Boston Red Sox, who looked like sellers just three weeks ago but have since surged into the playoff race thanks to a 15-game winning streak. That means that potential targets like Aroldis Chapman are off the board, and the Red Sox will also be competing with the Yankees for some trade targets.
“Other marquee relievers may be staying put, too. The Red Sox’s recent 15-game winning streak has probably shifted their Deadline approach and squashed the chances of an Aroldis Chapman trade,” MLB.com noted. “The Astros‘ Josh Hader has a full no-trade clause. Luke Weaver may be the Mets’ best trade asset, but MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in the New York Post (subscription required) that the Mets “seem somewhat reluctant” to part with Weaver given their belief that they will be contenders in 2027 and the fact that he is under contract through that year.”
The Yankees have some other pressing needs, including a right-handed hitting catcher. The Yankees have been connected to some potential trade targets, including Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies.
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