The New York Yankees closed out the MLB trade deadline by adding pieces to their roster while keeping a veteran infielder who had drawn plenty of trade talk in recent weeks.
Ryan McMahon, the third baseman signed to a hefty multiyear deal, stayed put after the club completed its deadline business. Speculation had swirled that the left-handed hitter could be moved because of his uneven performance this season. Instead, the Yankees put him back in the everyday mix right away.
McMahon started at third base and hit seventh Tuesday night when the team faced the St. Louis Cardinals in an interleague matchup. The move signaled that the organization still sees value in the 31-year-old despite the ups and downs.
In the days before the deadline, several analysts pointed to McMahon as a possible departure. One report highlighted struggles on the left side of the infield, pairing his performance with that of shortstop Anthony Volpe and suggesting a trade involving McMahon might free up playing time and payroll flexibility.
McMahon is in the middle of a contract that pays him $16 million this year. He carries a similar salary for next season. That financial commitment made any potential deal more complicated for both the Yankees and interested clubs.
His numbers through 94 games show the challenges. McMahon is batting .214 with a .272 on-base percentage and .375 slugging percentage. He has struck out 81 times, reflecting ongoing difficulties making consistent contact.
The Yankees sat him for much of last week’s series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Reports at the time indicated the decision involved matchups against left-handed pitching. Amed Rosario filled in at third base during that stretch.
Offense has been a broader concern for the club since Aaron Judge went on the injured list. Several regulars have felt the impact of the missing production in the middle of the order. McMahon has been part of that collective dip at the plate.
Even so, the team remained active at the deadline and landed Luis Garcia from the Washington Nationals. The 26-year-old first baseman arrives with strong recent numbers, including a National League-leading slugging percentage earlier in the week and career highs in home runs and runs batted in.
Scouts have praised Garcia’s ability to drive the ball to all fields and his potential to add power to the Yankees lineup. One evaluator noted he should find the right-field seats at Yankee Stadium with some regularity.
By keeping McMahon while adding Garcia, the Yankees appear to be balancing continuity with an infusion of new talent. Manager Aaron Boone and the front office have not publicly detailed every factor behind the decision to retain the third baseman.
McMahon has acknowledged the rough patches in his own comments during the season. He has worked to adjust his approach at the plate after changes made during the offseason and spring training produced mixed results.
Defensively, the veteran has long been regarded as a steady presence at the hot corner. While advanced metrics have shown some fluctuation this year, his experience and arm strength remain assets the club values.
The decision to stick with McMahon comes after months of questions about his role. Earlier in the season he dealt with a throat infection that landed him on the injured list, and there were stretches when other infielders such as Rosario and Jose Caballero saw more opportunities.
With the deadline now past, the focus shifts to how the current group performs over the final two months. The Yankees hope the combination of existing pieces and new additions can stabilize the lineup and keep them competitive in the American League East.
McMahon will look to build on his return to the starting lineup and contribute more consistently with both the bat and the glove. For a player under contract through next season, the coming weeks offer a chance to reestablish his place in the plans.
The front office’s choice to hold onto him rather than force a trade suggests belief that better days remain possible. Whether that confidence pays off will play out on the field in the games ahead.
