The clock is ticking. The Yankees know time is not on their side. With a lineup struggling to deliver in vital moments and the pressure of postseason expectations mounting, the Yankees’ management is scanning the market for an elite star, specifically at third base. They have made it clear: the need is not just for star power, but for someone who can handle the moment when the lights are brightest. That is where the frustration begins.

The Rockies could hold the answer in Ryan McMahon; however, they are not talking. Despite McMahon’s fit, power from the left side, steady defense, and cost control through 2027, the Rockies’ GM Bill Schmidt’s vague trade approach is freezing negotiations. While opponent executives acknowledge McMahon as a legit star, history says Schmidt will not deal big at the deadline, and unless that transforms, the Yankees could be left watching a perfect piece slip away.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the league standings, the Rockies have yet to show Schmidt’s cards on McMahon. When asked related to the third baseman and other powerful trade chips, one NL executive said bluntly, “They could be very interesting if [Schmidt] decides to really open things up. That’s not what he’s typically done at the Deadline, so I don’t know if it’s something we can expect. But they have pieces that can help teams.” Translation? McMahon will be there, but no one is sure if the Rockies are serious about making a move

Such a uncertainty is exactly what is causing anxiety in the Yankees. The team is in a playoff race, their offense is starving for clutch hitting, and the Yankees do not have time for mixed signals. However, McMahon, with two more seasons left on the deal and a profile that fits the Yankees’ dimensions, feels tailor-made for a midseason splash. But, until the Rockies stop dancing around the subject, Brian Cashman and Company are stuck waiting.

The fit is obvious. McMahon’s OBP sits effectively above league average, the star’s defense is steady, and McMahon’s swing could feast on short porches. For any team that is stranded more runners than the MTA, McMahon’s situational value is clear. The issue? The Yankees cannot afford to chase ghosts, and with the Rockies’ silence growing daily, what looked like a possible upgrade now looks more like a gamble.

While the Yankees are locked in on identifying mid-tier infield reinforcements, another door looks to be slamming shut, and this time, it involves an electrifying outfielder in the game.

Insider kills Yankees, Cubs trade hopes over star slugger’s future

Despite their reputation as big spenders, the Yankees could already be out of the running for the most coveted star in next season’s free agent class. Kyle Tucker, the dynamic Cubs outfielder, is assumed to command a contract north of $500 million. However, as per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, the Yankees will not even be in the room when the bidding begins. Kirschner pulled no punches, highlighting the team’s reluctance to commit to vital outer position stars, stating, “When was the last time the Yankees landed a major external position player?”

Kirschner’s remarks echo an enhancing sentiment: the Yankees’ days of headline-grabbing free agent splashes could be behind them. While the team had interest in Kyle Tucker before the star was traded to the Cubs, his outstanding performance this season—slashing .287/.395/.527 with 16 homers through 80 games—makes it nearly impossible to pry the star loose. As Kirschner bluntly says, with the Cubs surging and Tucker thriving, the Cubs will do everything to keep the $500 million star instead of let Tucker walk after a brief rental.

The Yankees entered the trade deadline with hopes of reshaping their roster, however, mounting issues—from vague reactions in the Rockies to sobering insider takes—have muddied the path. With McMahon’s availability in question and Tucker off the table, the Yankees faces a vital test. Big-market patience is wearing thin,i time to act or risk falling behind.

`