With extension, Colorado Rockies ensure Ryan McMahon part of future core

The Colorado Rockies have seen Ryan McMahon make strides at the plate and in the field during his five-year Major League Baseball career. Now, with a contract extension in place, the franchise is making sure that McMahon’s development during his prime years continues in Denver and not another location.

With a reported six-year, $70 million contract extension, the Colorado Rockies are investing in the future of Ryan McMahon and the franchise as well.

Shortly after ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan tweeted out the news of the contract extension, the Colorado Rockies made it official in a release, announcing the six-year deal but not the value. Jon Heyman of MLB Network added that McMahon can opt out of the contract after the fourth year if he finishes in top 5 in MVP voting in any of first three years of the deal.

In 452 MLB games, McMahon has logged a career slash line of .243/.323/.433 while adding 61 home runs and 215 RBI.

The 27-year-old McMahon has shown exactly what he means to the Rockies since his MLB debut on August 12, 2017, taking over at second base when DJ LeMahieu left for the New York Yankees before the 2019 campaign and then sliding over to third base primarily when the Rockies traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2021 season. His defense was even more stellar last season, totaling an MLB-high 22 Defensive Runs Saved between his time at second base and the hot corner.

McMahon is expected to hold down third base this season and moving forward for Colorado, a fact made even more apparent when the Rockies recently inked Kris Bryant to a seven-year deal and promptly said Bryant would primarily play left field.

On the position side, McMahon and Bryant look to be two of the biggest building blocks for the Rockies in the near future. It continues a trend of building internally for Colorado, which also signed first baseman C.J. Cron to a two-year deal and catcher Elias Díaz to a three-year deal before the season began and added a five-year contract extension for pitcher Antonio Senzatela, extending him through the 2026 season.

With prospects such as Ezequiel Tovar, Zac Veen, and Drew Romo, among others, expected to come through the minor league system in the next couple of years and add their talents to the Rockies lineup, Colorado is doing what it can now to prepare a foundation for their arrival. McMahon’s deal is another solid step toward that.