Yankees Reportedly Got 'Strong Recommendation' on Ryan McMahon Trade from DJ LeMahieu

Veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu vouched for former Colorado Rockies teammate Ryan McMahon as the New York Yankees performed their due diligence, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal reported New York sought the input of some players who shared a clubhouse with McMahon prior to acquiring him. That group included LeMahieu, whom the team released this month, and he "gave the Yankees a strong recommendation" based on the two years they were with Colorado together.

The irony is that McMahon basically claimed LeMahieu's everyday spot in the order.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone moved Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base on a full-time basis on July 8, which crowded LeMahieu out of the infield and opened a void at the hot corner. The Bronx Bombers settled on McMahon as the solution ahead of the trade deadline, sending pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz to the Rockies.

The 30-year-old has been nothing if not consistent. He hit 20-plus home runs in five of the last six years, and his OPS+ from 2021-24 hovered between 93-98, per Baseball Reference. His defensive value has remained strong as well.

In short, Boone and general manager Brian Cashman had a good idea of what they were getting with McMahon. LeMahieu's positive endorsement will have only reassured them.