Two days after Aaron Boone had acknowledged the Yankees’ need to tighten up their team defense, they acquired a solid glove to take over at third base in Friday’s trade with the Rockies for Ryan McMahon.

The McMahon trade was a smart way to support the Yankees’ pitching. It will likely help their investment in $218 million man Max Fried, who leads the league in groundballs and has had 15 errors committed behind him this year. The infield defense needed tightening. But that won’t matter if the bullpen keeps handing games away.