The New York Yankees have begun the process of re-tweaking their roster by adding infielder Ryan McMahon. The team sent two prospects back to the Colorado Rockies in return for acquiring the third baseman.
The club has been on a slide, losing control of the American League East and displaying weakness on the defensive side. A move for a new face on the infield was desperately needed, and McMahon was the answer.
Earlier in July, the Yankees also released veteran third baseman DJ LeMahieu due to inconsistencies and a lack of production. They also shuffled Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base after evident struggles at the hot corner.
McMahon will likely occupy third base with a key role to play on the field and in the lineup. This is the club’s first move prior to the trade deadline.
How Ryan McMahon Fits In with the Yankees
McMahon has been in the league for some time. He broke into professional baseball in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, selected in the second round by the Colorado Rockies.
Welcome to the Bronx, Ryan! ?@Ry_McMahon | #RepBX pic.twitter.com/9iqcHauLHZ
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 25, 2025
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He’s put up nine seasons in the major leagues, making his debut on August 12th, 2017, against the Miami Marlins. McMahon plays three positions: third base, second base, and first base.
Despite his utility ability, the former Rockies infielder is a primary third baseman. McMahon is a one-time All-Star, getting that opportunity in 2024, when he launched 20 homers and drove in 65 runs.
Statistics and Metrics
McMahon slashed a .217/.314/.403 this season with 76 hits, 16 home runs, 35 RBI, and 42 runs scored. Career-wise, he’s slashed a combined .240/.323/.420 with 3,381 at-bats, 812 hits, 178 extra-base hits, 140 home runs, and 452 at-bats.
The offensive concern with McMahon is his strikeout tendencies. McMahon leads the league in strikeouts this season with 127. He’s only walked 49 times. He has a 31.7 strikeout percentage and a 12.2 walk percentage.
In nine years, he’s recorded 30% or above on strikeout percentage. He averages a 29% strikeout percentage career-wise, with a career 91.4 mph exit velocity, 113.7 mph max exit velocity, and a 46.3 hard-hit percentage.
His left-handed bat comes with strong bat power and good bat speed, keeping his hands and barrel in the zone. McMahon is primarily pull-side with 40.6% pull percentage with 38.8% straight-away, and 20.5% opposite field. His pull AIR percentage is 18.8%.
Role in the Bronx
McMahon’s left-handed bat will suffice in the lineup, despite his high strikeout rates. Hitting from the left side, and his pull-side ability will fare well with the short porch in right field.
The biggest contribution of McMahon to the Yankees will be his polished fielding ability at the hot corner. He will be the Yankees’ third baseman, and does flash a glove that defends well, with athletic ability and an aggressive defensive approach.
McMahon has a league-leading 100 games at third base this season, with 824 innings of play. The infielder has a .978 fielding percentage versus a league .962 fielding percentage at third base for the year.
McMahon will be a huge defensive addition to the left side of the Yankees’ infield, hopefully solving some key issues. The infield has seen some defensive concerns involving errors, and the personnel deployed to those positions did not suffice.
The Yankees lead the American League in errors so far this year. This move seems to be more of a defensive than an offensive prioritization.
Main Photo Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images
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