Since the 8-37 Rockies are already well out of playoff contention, teams have started to scope out Colorado’s roster as a possible source of help at the trade deadline. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that the Cubs and Dodgers are two of multiple teams that “are closely monitoring” third baseman Ryan McMahon as a potential trade candidate.
This is far from the first time that McMahon’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, as the Rockies’ lack of success over the last several seasons have brought pretty much experienced name on the roster onto the radar as a possible trade chip. As much as the Rox have struggled, however, the team has generally been pretty quiet on the trade front. Both ownership and the front office are seemingly resistant to a full rebuild, and the Rockies have often (curiously) opted against even dealing some players heading towards free agency. Even in the high-profile cases of Trevor Story and Jon Gray, both players were retained beyond the deadline, and Colorado was left with nothing when both players signed elsewhere in free agency.
As it relates to McMahon specifically, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco explored the infielder’s situation in a subscriber-only piece earlier this month, noting that McMahon is reportedly a particular favorite of Rockies owner Dick Monfort. The team also showed its faith in McMahon back in March 2022 when he was locked up on a six-year, $70MM contract extension covering the 2022-27 seasons. McMahon can opt out of the final year of that contract if he finishes in the top five of NL MVP voting this season, though that appears to be a moot point since McMahon is hitting only .209/.330/.379 (for an 89 wRC+) through 182 plate appearances in 2025.
The chief point of Anthony’s post was that the Rockies missed their ideal window for trading McMahon, as the team could’ve saved some money and gotten some decent young talent if the third baseman had been dealt before the All-Star break. Instead, there was no suggestion that Colorado was even considering moving McMahon, and any chance of a deal then further dried up after McMahon’s production cratered in the second half.
His struggles continued through the first month of this season, but McMahon has quietly been on fire in May, hitting .333/.443/.667 over 61 PA. It seems like McMahon’s extended slump may finally be over, and through all of his ups and downs at the plate, he has still continued to deliver elite glovework at third base.
As bad as the Rockies have been in recent years, their dismal play in 2025 is a new low, as the team is on pace to challenge the 2024 White Sox as the worst team in modern baseball history. Against this backdrop, the Rox already acted in uncharacteristic fashion by firing manager Bud Black last week, and Monfort perhaps hinted at some more changes coming. As part of the club’s official statement on Black’s dismissal, Monfort said “We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve where we can on the field and to evaluate all areas of our operation so we can properly turn the page into the next chapter of Rockies Baseball.”
It remains to be seen if this evaluation will lead to a rebuild or a deadline fire sale, and if Monfort’s perspective has finally shifted since his team is on course for a particularly embarrassing season. If so, moving McMahon would be a logical move, and any number of rival clubs could be interested in seeing what the third baseman can do with a full change of scenery.
For the Cubs, the need is obvious. Chicago has gotten very little out of a revolving door of third basemen that has included the likes of top prospect Matt Shaw, Jon Berti, Nicky Lopez, and Justin Turner. Shaw was optioned to the minors just a few weeks into the season and he figures to be recalled at some point, as Shaw has continued to crush the ball at Triple-A Iowa.
If the Cubbies wanted a more established option, they could look to obtain McMahon and take care of the third base position through the end of the 2027 season. It would be a more costly endeavor since McMahon is owed the remainder of a $12MM salary this year and is then owed $16MM salaries in 2026 and 2027, though that price point roughly matches the Cubs’ tendency to spend but only in modest average annual values. Acquiring McMahon would block Shaw, but Chicago could potentially then shop Shaw to address other needs, or perhaps Shaw could even be part of a trade package with the Rockies.
Given the Rockies’ reluctance to trade altogether, it is particularly hard to imagine the Rox moving an ownership favorite like McMahon to a division rival like the Dodgers. Max Muncy is also installed at third base, though Muncy has only just started to heat up after a very slow start at the plate. L.A. could conceivably make Muncy part of the second base mix in the event of a McMahon trade, and such a deal could probably signal the forthcoming end of Muncy’s time in Dodger Blue. Muncy is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and the Dodgers hold a $10MM club option on his services for 2026, so the team might already be considering future possibilities at third base.
The big question facing any team interested in McMahon is whether or not he can reach a higher level at the plate. With only an 89 career wRC+ and decidedly better splits at Coors Field than on the road, it isn’t clear if McMahon is anything more than a glove-only option at third base. While quality defense is certainly a plus, paying $16MM for such glovework may be viewed as too steep for some suitors. Having to eat some money to accommodate a trade may add to whatever misgivings the Rockies may already have about moving McMahon.