The New York Yankees are reportedly working on some big trade-deadline deals, but one of their moves last week is already paying big dividends.
The Yankees added some punch to their lineup when they landed third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. The 30-year-old All-Star is expected to provide a big boost to the infield and his bat helped the Yankees make history in a roller-coaster win on Wednesday.
Ryan McMahon Brings Yankees All the Way Back
McMahon hit a game-winning single against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, sending the Yankees to a 5-4 victory that saw a record-setting series of late comebacks. The Yankees erased deficits three times after the 8th inning, which OptaStats noted was an MLB record.
McMahon’s game-winner came after Cody Bellinger hit a game-tying triple in the 10th inning.
The Yankees aimed for some infield stability when they landed McMahon, with MLB.com’s Bill Ladson writing that he was expected to replace a struggling third baseman.
“McMahon, who was added to the active roster on Saturday morning, will become the seventh third baseman New York has used this year, with Oswald Peraza playing the most games (48) at the position,” Ladson wrote. “Peraza is an above-average defender, but he hasn’t done much with the bat, hitting .147 with three homers going into Friday night’s game against the Phillies at Yankee Stadium.”
McMahon has already added some hitting punch while launching the team to a memorable win in the Bronx. The third baseman was mobbed on the field after the win, getting a Gatorade bath from his teammates.
Yankees Looking for More Moves Before Trade Deadline
The Yankees are reportedly aiming to bring in more talent before Thursday’s trade deadline. New York Post reporter Jon Heyman noted that the Yankees have been in talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates on multiple players, including closer David Bednar and starter Mitch Keller.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley noted that the moves could come at a high cost to the Yankees, but the team could feel pressure to add more help around its MVP candidate.
“While the Yankees shouldn’t take a blank-check approach toward attacking their weaknesses, they should also know this isn’t the time to get overly conservative,” Bednar wrote. “New York, which last won a World Series title in 2009, only has so much longer to capitalize on the prime of generational slugger Aaron Judge.”
Buckley added that Judge is in the midst of an all-time great season, which likely increases the pressure the Yankees’ front office is feeling.
“The window is open right now, though,” Bednar wrote. “Judge might be the best hitter in baseball, and there is no shortage to solid-or-better support bats around him in this lineup. The Yankees have the Majors’ most home runs (170) and highest slugging percentage (.451). They sit third in both runs scored (552) and RBI (529).”
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