Ryan McMahon could be a useful player for the Colorado Rockies to dangle in a trade ahead of the upcoming deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t going to have Max Muncy for the foreseeable future. But they could try to try to fill his spot via a trade with a division rival.
Los Angeles is being linked to Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, and the hypothetical deal could see it parting with starting pitcher Dustin May.
At 21-71, the Rockies have the worst record in baseball by far, and McMahon has been their most consistent player. McMahon is signed for two more seasons after 2025 at $12 million annually.
Why Would The Dodgers Trade For Ryan McMahon?
The Rockies are fielding calls for McMahon, with the New York Yankees reportedly checking in on him to fill their hole at third base. With Muncy out for at least six weeks, and the potential for the Dodgers to upgrade their infield in the interim and over the long-term, the 30-year-old could be an option for LA.
McMahon may only be slashing .210/.310/.373 and is leading the NL in strikeouts (117), but he plays a solid third base and would allow Tommy Edman to continue splitting time at second base and center field. Zachary Howell of Clutch Points laid out the potential for a McMahon deal.
“He can still produce in the field and at the plate,” Howell wrote of McMahon. “Los Angeles does not need much from McMahon, but he is a far better option at third than Tommy Edman.”
McMahon has a career .740 OPS and could fit into the Dodgers’ deep lineup where he is not the focal point of opposing pitching staffs. Plus, the Dodgers have a club option on Muncy after the season, and a deal for McMahon could help them get a younger yet similarly effective bat in their lineup beyond 2025.
“His contract also gives the Dodgers plenty of control after the end of this season,” Howell wrote. “In the short-term, the veteran infielder can spell Muncy while he recovers and pick up his slack in the heart of Roberts’ order.”
Why Would The Dodgers Trade Dustin May?
May is a pending free agent after 2025, and he’s having an uneven season at 5-5 with a 4.52 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 16 starts.
But May had turned a corner in 2023 before he underwent Tommy John surgery, starting the year 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA and a sub-1 WHIP in nine starts.
There is potential there, but there may not be a role for May, since Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are close to returning from injuries — and Shohei Ohtani has already started his return to the mound.
To pry McMahon from the Rockies it would likely cost the Dodgers more than just May in a one-for-one deal, especially since the Dodgers pitcher isn’t exactly young (27) and is a rental.
But Howell laid out the case for the Rockies making the deal.
“On a team building for the future, only one of their starters is younger than 30 years old,” Howell wrote. “In a league where there is a premium on good starting pitching, the Rockies’ outlook is not a good one, especially at Coors Field.
“The Rockies should take a chance on May this season. His contract is a cheap one-year deal, making it imperative for Colorado to re-sign him this winter before another team snaps him up. However, giving him a half season in their system could help the Rockies convince him to sign a long-term deal and lead their rotation.”
