With the MLB trade deadline ending today, the Colorado Rockies wasted no time in getting a deal done a week before the cutoff. Trading away one of their starters for two prospects, the Rockies pin their hopes on the future. Third baseman Ryan McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for two pitching prospects, LHP Griffin Herring (Yankees’ No. 8 prospect) and RHP Josh Grosz (Yankees’ No. 21 prospect).

McMahon was an All-Star just one year ago and is the second All-Star from the Rockies to be traded to the Yankees. Nolan Arenado, an 8-time All-Star and 3-time NL home run leader, was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020. The Rockies also sent second baseman DJ LeMahieu, a 2-time batting champion, and 3-time All-Star, to the Yankees in 2019. 

After spending 13 years with the Rockies, McMahon will go from a perennial last place to a mainstay in the postseason. Going immediately into the lineup, McMahon wasted no time contributing to the Yankees’ success. He had two hits in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Machanon had two hits in three at-bats, with 2 RBI, and scored one run in the Yankees’ win. 

“I have a ton of respect for Ryan, Natalie [his wife] and the whole family, and everything he has meant to this organization -- we’re talking 13 seasons since we drafted him in 2013,” said Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt, who said there was interest from other teams. “I remember the first time I saw him, when he was a sophomore in high school.

“I think of what he did for the ballclub in his time here. I wish him nothing but the best. He’s in a good situation and hopefully he does well.” 

In McMahon’s final days with the Rockies coming out of the All-Star break, he made himself more appealing with his bat going 6-for-20 with three home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs, four walks, and six strikeouts while batting fourth and fifth in the order. The Rockies have gone 6-6 since the All-Star break.  

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