Jazz Chisholm Jr. shouldn't be playing third base for the New York Yankees for more than a month longer.
Chisholm is a good defender at second base (three outs above average) and a poor one at third (-2 OAA). He's playing third right now in deference to DJ LeMahieu, an aging, expensive veteran with a mediocre bat and no range on defense.
Some have suggested the Yankees should acquire a left-handed second baseman to platoon with LeMahieu, but the way to go is to grab a true starting third baseman and shift Chisholm back to second, perhaps giving LeMahieu some starts against lefty pitchers.
The Colorado Rockies may have just what the Yankees are looking for.
On Thursday, Matt Ferenchick of Pinstripe Alley discussed Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, who is currently under contract through 2027 on a $70 million extension, as a possible trade candidate for the Yankees this summer.
"The Yankees are probably most in need of someone who could play third base regularly. The Rockies have a competent one of those in former All-Star Ryan McMahon," Ferenchick wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
"He’s never posted an above league average OPS+, but he’s always hovered right around that mark and provides good defense at the hot corner. He’s another that has 1.5 years left on his current deal, but someone the Yankees could take on if Colorado wants to move money."
The 30-year-old McMahon is a superior third base defender (4 OAA) whose offense might actually take a leap forward away from Coors Field, but with the short porch to aim at in Yankee Stadium. He's sporting a .728 OPS and 12 home runs on the year so far.
One of Colorado's main incentives to trade McMahon, if not the main one altogether, is money. So if the Yankees want him, they'd better be ready to fork over the $16 million he's owed in each of the next two full seasons.
More MLB: Yankees former top prospect is 'next in line' for midseason DFA, per insider