Rockies IF Ryan McMahon Could Make Sense for Cubs as Trade Candidate
Third base has been a glaring hole in the Cubs’ lineup all season, whether it was Matt Shaw‘s early struggles or the poor performance of several temporary fill-ins. Shaw looked good in his first game back with the big club, but the rookie’s production is far from guaranteed and the Cubs can’t depend on any of their backups for full-time duty. That’s a big part of the reason they’ll continue looking for help, and Bob Nightengale mentioned the Cubs as a possible suitor for a veteran who made the All-Star Game last season.
“Several teams, including the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, are closely monitoring Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon in case he’s traded this summer,” Nightengale wrote.
The Rockies are currently 8–38 and on pace to break the modern record of 121 losses in a single season set last year by the White Sox. Colorado is certainly going to be in sell mode as the deadline approaches, and McMahon is among several enticing trade options available.
The 30-year-old has struggled offensively this season, entering Monday with a wRC+ of 88 and a 32.1% strikeout rate. He posted a .147 batting average in March and April, recording 15 hits in 29 games. However, he’s hitting .321 with eight extra-base hits, including four home runs, so far in May.
He has been somewhat unlucky this year, with his expected wOBA and expected batting average both roughly 20 points higher than his actual numbers. His average exit velocity ranks among the best in baseball at 94.2 mph, though his expected slugging percentage of .428 is right around league average.
McMahon has been one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball, recording 39 outs above average since the start of the 2021 season. Solid defense has been hard to come by for the Cubs, and that’s another area that can’t necessarily be taken for granted with Shaw. The other factor here is that McMahon still has at least one more year at $11.67 million average annual value on his current extension.
McMahon can opt out of his deal after 2026 if he finishes top five in NL MVP voting, but that outcome is highly unlikely. That means he’d be owed a prorate portion of this year’s salary plus another $23.34 million over the next two seasons. Assuming the Rockies would have to eat a portion of that might discount the remaining total commitment to $25 million or less.
That’s a bargain if he gets back to his numbers from a few years ago, but not so much so if he remains under 2.0 fWAR or so into the future. Shaw’s performance will determine whether a trade for McMahon becomes necessary. Ideally, Shaw will thrive and establish himself as the long-term solution at third base. If he struggles, McMahon presents a plausible stopgap option at a cost that isn’t exorbitant.
While his bat has been underwhelming lately, viewing McMahon as a viable change-of-scenery candidate isn’t out of the question.
