The New York Yankees are already limping into the regular season as several holes have emerged throughout spring training. Chiefly among them is the problem at third base.
Entering spring training, the Yankees had an uninspiring competition comprising of DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza. It didn’t truly matter who won this competition because it’s likely the hot corner would still be viewed as a glaring need for the Yankees.
However, LeMahieu injured his calf in early March and still has no timetable for return while Peraza appears to be on his way out of the organization after burning through his minor-league options. Thus, a glaring hole became even more so with just days before the regular season.
As unlikely as it may seem, there is an option the Yankees could (and should) consider if they want to repeat as American League champions. Given the need to upgrade the position on both sides of the ball, Zachary Rotman of FanSided proposed the idea that New York target Colorado Rockies star Ryan McMahon in a trade.
“The Yankees have made an effort to improve defensively, and adding McMahon will do that. They’ve also attempted to lengthen their lineup with Juan Soto departing – McMahon would help with that as well. If the Rockies are willing to trade him, which they should be considering McMahon is 30 years old and won’t be with the organization when they’re ready to compete, the Yankees and other contenders in need of a boost at third base should be all over this,” Rotman wrote.
McMahon has three years remaining on the $70 million deal he signed with Colorado. It would be a relatively expensive move for New York considering the luxury tax implications, but this glaring need at third base could be one of the major reasons they fail to live up to expectations.
An All-Star for the first time in 2024, McMahon has averaged 20 home runs per season over his last six campaigns. His smooth glove would fortify the left side of the infield, and the Yankees could move forward with another capable bat to add depth to the middle or backend of the lineup.
Whether the Yankees would actually consider a move like this remains to be seen but if the Rockies are shopping for trades, New York should be inquiring.
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