Yankees Weigh Third Base Overhaul This Offseason

New York views third base as an area of need and may look to move on from Ryan McMahon this winter.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball

Yankees Weigh Third Base Overhaul This Offseason

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Should professional sports teams trade players who underperform on big contracts?

The Yankees consider third base an area of need, and McMahon's name has surfaced in trade rumors as New York weighs a replacement via trade or free agency. McMahon, acquired from the Colorado Rockies before the July 2025 trade deadline, hit .213 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in his first full season with the club.

Why it matters

The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009 and had an early playoff exit, and McMahon has struggled to produce offensively despite being a stellar defender. Hal Steinbrenner has said the 2026 roster was built to win a title.

McMahon hit .213 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in his first full Yankees season, and is owed $16 million in 2027 on a six-year, $70 million deal entering its final year. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009, and it is unresolved whether they will move him this offseason.

The players

Ryan McMahon

McMahon is a one-time All-Star infielder whose six-year, $70 million contract is in its final year.

Hal Steinbrenner

Steinbrenner is the principal owner of the New York Yankees, who has publicly stated the team's goal is a World Series title.

Jack Curry

Curry is a Yankees reporter for the YES Network who reported the team's view of third base as an area of need.

The details

Jack Curry of YES Network reported that third base is considered an area of need, and McMahon's name has come up in trade rumors. McMahon is a one-time All-Star and a stellar defender, though his offense has lagged.

July 2025: The Yankees acquired McMahon from the Colorado Rockies before the trade deadline.
2026 season: McMahon played his first full season with New York, ending in an early playoff exit.
2027: The Yankees owe McMahon $16 million.

Roadmap

The Yankees have not won a World Series since their 2009 title, and the search for a championship-caliber roster continues to drive offseason moves. Third base is now the latest position under review as the club tries to close that gap.

A third base move would change the Yankees' infield alignment and affect how McMahon's $16 million 2027 obligation is handled. Fantasy and roster managers following McMahon's offense should note his .213 average and 11 home runs in his first full season.

The takeaway

The Yankees' third base search shows how a strong defender with limited offense can still become a roster priority for a team chasing a title. Watch how the club balances offense against defense this winter.