Reds-Pirates trade shows Yankees, Brian Cashman nailed it with Ryan McMahon

On Wednesday, the buildup to the MLB trade deadline saw it's biggest deal yet. And it featured a former reported third base target of the New York Yankees switching teams. Thankfully, Brian Cashman and Co. already solved that issue by acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies.

In this deal, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds in exchange for No. 9 prospect Sammy Stafura (shortstop) and relief pitcher Taylor Rogers. Hayes is signed through 2029 and will earn a $7.5 million AAV. He brings elite defense, but a dead bat (which could, however, improve if he's no longer on the lowly Pirates).

On the flip side, the Yankees might've gotten McMahon at a $16 million AAV, but they only surrendered their Nos. 8 and 21 prospects for two years of the veteran. He fits into their short-term plans, which is all they really needed, and he brings a better (and more proven) bat to the Bombers' lineup (he's already hitting .308 with an .822 OPS in his four games).

Not to mention, McMahon is a lefty slugger with tremendous exit velocity metrics. If you're a Yankees fan frustrated with Anthony Volpe's offensive profile, you would've blown a gasket if they acquired Hayes, who is worse in every single statistic. Hard to believe, but yes, he might be the worst everyday bat in the entire sport at the moment.

Would it have been wise for the Yankees to acquire 4.5 seasons of Hayes knowing his offensive profile has absolutely plummeted over the past two seasons (with possible chronic back issues at play)? On the surface, it felt like they were rolling the dice going after a Rockies or Pirates player, but unless Hayes does a 180 and starts mashing like he did in 2023 (his only successful offensive season), then Cashman made the right choice, and he limited the return package, which was essentially equal to what the Reds gave to a division rival.

The only real difference here is Hayes' elite defense. He's legitimately the best defensive third baseman in MLB, but McMahon isn't too far behind him. They both rank tops in OAA and McMahon actually has superior arm strength. McMahon is also better to his left, which is helpful right now given Volpe's defensive struggles.

So here's a quick hat tip to Cashman. Fans often give him a hard time (sometimes for good reason), but he made the superior trade, and the Yankees already look better off for it.