The Yankees are scuffling. They started the season 8-2, looking like they were destined for greatness. They still could be, but a five game losing streak has spun them like tops.
At the center of that losing streak has been Ryan McMahon. The Yankees acquired McMahon from the Rockies in July, looking to stabilize their infield. He did, defensively. Offensively, McMahon has been abysmal.
McMahon’s Struggling Offense
McMahon came into 2026 with some promise. The Yankees were working with him this offseason to adjust his batting stance. So far, those adjustments did not work. He struggled offensively in spring training, but we all thought nothing of it because spring stats typically don’t matter. The regular season, however, matters, with McMahon beginning the season by batting .114 through his first 35 at-bats. That includes just two RBIs and no extra-base hits.
The Yankees need more production from McMahon. He might not be the only person struggling in the lineup, but it seems he is struggling more than anyone else. A few times this week McMahon has found himself up at the plate with a chance to tie the game, or even give the team the lead but has come up short. This includes the Rays intentionally walking catcher Austin Wells in Sunday’s finale to get to McMahon.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone keeps reiterating that McMahon is a “good big-league hitter” who continues to “scuffle a bit”. The question of McMahon’s performance was even met with frustration Sunday, with Boone responding to a question on his struggles by saying “You always bring him up”.
His struggles have led to Yankees backup infielder Amed Rosario getting more reps at third base, and so far Rosario has delivered. He single-handedly won the Yankees their game against the Athletics last Tuesday, their last win before the losing streak.
The writing is on the wall that the Yankees are not going to wait forever for McMahon to turn it on.
Could the Yankees move on from McMahon?
The Yankees are in win-now mode. They don’t have much time to sit and wait for a player whose bat has always struggled away from Coors Field. If they want to take a grand shot at winning in 2026, they need to make a move to change up the dynamic.
It might seem unlikely, but if McMahon does not begin hitting soon, a third baseman could be on the hot list for the Yankees to look at during the trade deadline. The team has limited needs, where they will most likely need some help in the bullpen, but third base is as much of a priority given the struggles.
One option the Yankees can look at is Astros infielder Isaac Paredes. Paredes is a part of the current Astros logjam and has experience playing in the AL East. He played two and a half seasons with the Rays, putting up his best numbers. He is a right-handed hitter, which would benefit the Yankees current need for righty hitters. In his career, he has a .804 OPS against left-handed pitchers. Even though Paredes is an extreme pull hitter, he has a career batting average of .250 at Yankee Stadium. He also has a club option for 2027 at just over nine million.
(Top Image Credit: © John Jones-Imagn Images)
