According to Mark Feinsand and multiple reports, the Colorado Rockies have traded third baseman Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees.
Breaking: The Yankees are acquiring 3B Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, per source. Colorado will receive two prospects in return.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 25, 2025
McMahon’s time with the Rockies has been marked by streaky offense, patience at the plate, and defensive excellence.
They will receive two prospects in return, Griffin herring and Josh Grosz.
The Rockies will receive pitching prospects Griffin
ADHerring and Josh Grosz from the Yankees for McMahon, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 25, 2025
Ryan McMahon
So far this season, McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with a wRC+ of 88. He has also hit 16 home runs. A streaky hitter throughout his career, McMahon has shown signs of heating up over the last week.
The consistent part of his game, however, has always been his defense. He is a three-time Gold Glove finalist for a reason, as Rockies fans well know. Currently, he is tied for second in DRS among all third basemen with four. His four outs above average rank third.
McMahon is a durable player who has spent almost no time on the Injured List during his nine seasons with the Rockies. (He recently played his 1000th game with the team.)
His high K% (31.7% and fourth highest in MLB) will be a source of frustration for Yankees fans, though that may even out when McMahon is no longer playing at elevation. However, offsetting that is his 12.2% BB%, which is 27th in baseball. He is a patient hitter.
For a Yankees team desperate for defense — they have a -0.5 Def at third — McMahon will provide a sure antidote. Moreover, he will probably fare better offensively when less depends upon on him at the plate. A loaded Yankees offense will move McMahon down in the lineup and give him space.
The Yankees will assume responsibility for the remainder of his contract, $4,193,540 for 2025 and $32 million for 2026-27.
As Ryan Spilborghs put it:
Good for Rox depending on the return. Good for Yankees to get a legit 3B. And pumped for McMahon, showcase his skills, he will be a great addition to that team. Ryan was an absolute pleasure to cover and watch grow. From his debut to being a wonderful husband and father. Love it. https://t.co/3X8oK28AMj
— Ryan Spilborghs (@spillygoat19) July 25, 2025
Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz
The key return for the Rockies in this trade is left-handed pitcher Griffin Herring.
A 22-year-old out of Louisiana State, Herring was a sixth-round pick for the Yankees in 2024 and their no. 8 organizational prospect per MLB Pipeline before the trade.
Herring was a key member of the LSU bullpen, but his best season came the year after the Tigers took home the National Championship.
Herring held a 1.79 ERA through 50 1⁄3 innings of work and struck out 67 batters. He is currently enjoying a strong professional debut season with a combined 2.22 ERA across Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley while striking out 102 batters to 36 walks in 89 1⁄3 innings of work.
Herring’s best pitch is his slider—graded at a 60—that sits in the mid-80s with sweeping horizontal break. He’s used the pitch successfully against both right-handed and left-handed batters. He pairs this with a four-seam fastball that tops out at 94 MPH with armside run. Herring also throws a developing changeup. His somewhat jerky delivery carries some deception along with his arm extension.
Also on his way to Colorado is 6’4’’ right-handed starting pitcher Josh Grosz, the Yankees’ no. 21 organizational prospect.
The 22-year-old was teammates with current Rockies reliever Zach Agnos at East Carolina and was selected by the Yankees in the 11th round of the 2023 draft.
Grosz made it as high as Double-A Somerset in 2024 after putting up solid numbers with Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley, though he made just one start with the Patriots.
In 16 appearances—15 of which were starts—for High-A Hudson Valley this season he has posted a 4.14 ERA over 87 innings. He’s notched 94 strikeouts to 35 walks.
Grosz’ best pitch is his four-seam fastball, which averages between 93-95 MPH with riding action and high spin. The pitch can top out at 98 MPH. He also works with a mid-80s slider that has quality break and an upper-80s fading changeup.
He has a repeatable delivery with a low three-quarters arm slot, though he has work to do when it comes to his control. Although he’s a starter now, he could also find himself in the bullpen at some point.
Summing up
Rockies fans will miss McMahon, and we at Purple Row wish him the best in the Bronx. He has been an exceptional defender on the field and just a great all-around Rockie.
However, the need for a true rebuild is clear, and with this move, general manager Bill Schmidt has shown he’s ready to act.
The next question, really, is what happens with Kyle Karros (No. 12 PuRP).
Will he join the Rockies during this roadtrip?
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