The New York Yankees have fallen on tough times of late, having won only three of their last ten games. They have seen their lead in the AL East shrink to 2.0 games, and concerns have arisen about their lineup.
When Aaron Judge is hot, the Yankees are rolling, but it seems they have become too reliant on the reigning MVP. However, when Judge is struggling to meet his standard, the Yankees struggle to score runs. He is hitting .264 over the last 15 games and has struck out 24 times in 53 at-bats.
It seems likely that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will be active in the trade market over the next month, leading up to the trade deadline. One player that is being linked to the Yankees is Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon.
Yankees Could Target Another Big Bat
According to ESPN, McMahon is a player who is likely to be traded this season. He has a 60% chance of being traded, and the Yankees are one of the teams mentioned as the best fit. The Yankees could slot McMahon in at third base, which would allow Jazz Chisholm to move to the outfield or second base.
While McMahon has been known as a power hitter, much of his success can be attributed to playing in Colorado. This season, he has a batting average of .276 at home and .180 on the road. It would be unwise to think McMahon would hit for a high average without playing at Coors Field for 80 games. McMahon has two years and $32 million remaining on his contract, and the Yankees will have to decide if they are willing to take on that contract.
Other Potential Yankees Targets
McMahon is not the only player who fits the Yankees; there are a few other trade targets they are likely to be interested in, such as Nolan Arenado, Eugenio Suarez, and Alex Bregman. It would be a surprise if the Yankees let the trade deadline pass without adding another infielder to the roster. While getting a solid defender is essential, they need another hitter more than anything. Each of the players mentioned will add to the lineup and will help take some pressure off Judge.
The Yankees have World Series expectations, and Cashman will have to make some moves to give his team the best chance to return to the Fall Classic.