The New York Yankees may have landed Ryan McMahon at the trade deadline, but George Lombard Jr. remains central to their plans.

McMahon’s contract runs through 2028, giving the Yankees a reliable everyday third baseman while Lombard continues his climb toward the majors.

That didn’t stop multiple teams from inquiring about the 20-year-old, only to be met with a firm “not available” from New York.

The Yankees’ decision reflects just how highly they value Lombard , who already profiles as a gold glove-level defender right now.

Lombard’s development path shows both promise and patience

After tearing through High-A earlier this year, Lombard was promoted to Double-A Somerset, where he’s been adjusting to tougher competition.

Through 74 games, he’s hitting .207/.322/.337 with five homers,

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