The New York Yankees general manager, Brian Cashman, has to quietly be kicking himself for being fleeced by the Colorado Rockies. Cashman acquired Ryan McMahon, Jake Bird, and Angel Chivilli from Colorado, and none of those trades have worked out particularly well for the Yankees, to this point. And while yes, it’s too early to make such a definitive statement about the deals, the Yankees seem like the early losers in those deals. So how do the Yanks fix these problem areas on the roster? Make some moves and trade for replacements. Yes, we realize that it’s too early in the season and teams haven’t even remotely engaged in any sort of meaningful trade discussions. However, for this exercise, we will ignore the timeline of the season and just look to fix the mistakes made by Cashman with the Rockies. This article will serve as part one of the series.

REPLACING RYAN MCMAHON

When the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon, there was a positive feeling in the air about his acquisition. The potential combination of power and defense was an alluring combination. McMahon’s defensive abilities have not diminished during his Bronx tenure. However, the power that was expected has not yet truly materialized in Pinstripes. So, how do the Yankees fix these problems that they caused for themselves with McMahon’s acquisition? They make another maneuver. Let’s discuss said maneuvers, in no particular order.

OFTEN INJURED UNLIKELY TRADE OPTION: ROYCE LEWIS

This is the dream scenario with a major asterisk. Royce Lewis has superstar potential when he’s on the field. His bat is electric, his athleticism jumps off the screen, and he has the ability to be a game-changing presence in the middle of a lineup. The issue, of course, is availability. Injuries have plagued Lewis throughout his career, making him a risky and likely unattainable option. Still, if the Yankees wanted to swing for the fences, this is the kind of move that could completely reshape the lineup.

CHANGE OF SCENARY CANDIDATE: ALEC BOHM

Alec Bohm is a player who has shown flashes of being a high-level offensive contributor but hasn’t fully put it all together consistently. A change of scenery could unlock another level, and Yankee Stadium’s dimensions could benefit his doubles approach. Bohm offers more offensive consistency than McMahon and could provide a steadier presence in the lineup, even if his defensive metrics are more average or below.

CROSSTOWN CONNECTION: MARK VIENTOS OR BRETT BATY

If the Yankees want to get bold, they could look across town. Mark Vientos brings raw power that could thrive in the Bronx, while Brett Baty offers a more balanced offensive profile with upside. Both players come with risk, but both also carry significantly more offensive ceiling than McMahon. A crosstown deal would be rare; but not unprecedented, and could address a glaring need.

SALARY DUMP OPTION: MANNY MACHADO

Let’s be clear, this is the least likely scenario, but it’s too fun not to mention. Manny Machado is still one of the premier third basemen in baseball. If the Padres were ever motivated to shed salary, the Yankees could theoretically swoop in. Machado would instantly solve the problem at third base, providing elite offense and strong defense. The financial implications and trade cost would be enormous, but the impact would be undeniable.

INTERAL OPTION: GEORGE LOMBARD JR

Sometimes the best solution is already in your system. George Lombard Jr. represents the future, and while he may not be ready yet, accelerating his timeline could be an option if the Yankees fully commit to moving on from McMahon. Lombard brings athleticism, upside, and the potential to grow into a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.

MOST LIKELY DECISION: RYAN MCMAHON

Despite all the options listed above, the most likely outcome is also the least exciting: the Yankees stick with Ryan McMahon. The combination of his contract, defensive reliability, and the early point in the season makes it far more probable that the Yankees will ride things out and hope the bat catches up. After all, power can be streaky, and a few hot weeks could completely change the narrative.

However, if the struggles persist, the Yankees cannot afford to ignore the issue for long. Third base is too important of a position, both offensively and defensively for a team with World Series aspirations to accept mediocrity. Whether it’s a platoon, a trade, or an internal promotion, the Yankees have options. The real question is whether Brian Cashman is willing to admit the mistake and act on it. And that’s what makes this story far from over.