The Yankees are getting aggressive before the trade deadline, and the front office has gone straight for third base. They traded for former All-Star Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, who has impressive defensive numbers. And in exchange, they shipped out two promising pitchers to Colorado. It was a gutsy move, one that provided a long-term answer at the hot corner. But it was only their first splash.

The Bombers have now made more reinforcement in the infield just a day after they officially signed McMahon. They have added a second, more tactical piece to their offense. It’s Amed Rosario, who was on a 0ne-year, $2 million deal with the Washington Nationals. The YES Network’s Jack Curry was the first to report the deal.

“The Yankees have acquired INF Amed Rosario from the Nationals. Rosario, a RHB, has an .816 OPS vs LHP. He’s played 3B, 2B, SS and OF this season. Yanks will deal P Clayton Beeter and Browm Martinez, an OF in Dominican Summer Lg. Smart addition,” Curry wrote on X.

This trade delivers a very specific, potent weapon to the Yankees. Rosario demolishes left-handed pitching, boasting an impressive. 816 OPS versus southpaws this season. Against them, he has hit. 299 with three homers and 10 extra-base hits. The Nationals receive pitcher Clayton Beeter in return.

Beeter has an electric fastball that reaches 97 mph. His slider is a legitimate out-pitch at a 53% swing-and-miss rate. But his lack of control was a red flag, and it allowed 7.0 walks per nine innings in the minors.

Washington also receives outfielder Browm Martinez, who, in the Dominican Summer League, posted an incredible .404 batting average. He also hit three home runs and stole 13 bases in just 18 games.

But while Rosario’s bat offers an easily defined and undeniable upgrade, the Yankees are not getting a complete player.

Yankees look for solutions at the trade deadline

Though Amed Rosario is a proven power against lefties, his defense is a major liability. The numbers paint a very clear picture. He has a -3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at third base this season in 18 games. His range-based numbers are even worse, as he has posted a -5 Outs Above Average (OAA). This is not a new problem. In fact, in 2019, he posted a fielding value of -10.

Yet, both these new additions, McMahon and Rosario, both plug right into a slumping Yankees infield. Before the trades, Oswald Peraza had hit just .152 with a .453 OPS. Shortstop Anthony Volpe, meanwhile, has had defensive problems of his own, making 13 errors and a -4 OAA. The McMahon-Rosario platoon is the quick fix. McMahon is an elite defender, and Rosario’s bat against lefties is a massive improvement over Peraza’s. The infield is suddenly deeper and more gifted.

But even after patching up their infield, the Yankees have other immediate needs. The team’s starting rotation has been shredded by injuries. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are both on the shelf and out for the season, leaving the team dependent on unproven rookies. The bullpen has been overworked and they are underperforming. The unit’s 4.32 ERA is in the bottom-third mark in the league.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman hasn’t been shy about his intentions. He has made it clear that the team will be active before the July 31 deadline. “We’re going to go to town. We’re going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves,” he stated recently.

He further acknowledged the team’s needs, saying, “I would import a starter, some relievers… And an infielder, if possible.” When pressed for his top priority, his answer was direct: “Pitching is always going to be that.”

The infield is fixed for now, but the Yankees’ biggest moves are likely still to come.