In his prime DJ LeMahieu was an extremely useful participant, mixing elite protection with spectacular offensive manufacturing. However accidents and age have diminished the three-time All-Star and, in the course of his seventh season with the New York Yankees, LeMahieu was designated for project.
Whereas the Yankees are executed with DJ, LeMahieu isn’t executed with baseball. The 37-year-old infielder is seeking to signal with a brand new group. And he has a technique in thoughts.
LeMahieu “plans to attend till the commerce deadline passes earlier than signing with one other group. He didn’t wish to be a part of a membership after which out of the blue discover his spot in jeopardy if his new group acquired one other participant,” in accordance with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
It’s an inexpensive strategy, significantly contemplating LeMahieu simply misplaced his beginning spot in New York. And the Yankees had the arrogance to chop him largely as a result of the group was getting ready so as to add a 3rd baseman by way of commerce.
DJ LeMahieu is biding his time after Yankees launch
When LeMahieu joined the Yankees in 2019, he had profession highs in dwelling runs (26), RBI (102), runs (109), hits (197) and bWAR (5.6) whereas displaying his defensive versatility. He completed fourth in MVP voting that 12 months. The next season, LeMahieu gained the batting title, hitting .364, and led the league in bWAR whereas ending third within the MVP race.
LeMahieu’s protection held up within the following years – he gained his fourth-career Gold Glove in 2022 as a utility participant, fielding three positions. However his offense waned. And by 2024 he had grow to be a legal responsibility on the plate, slashing .206/.269/.336 with a 52 OPS+ and -1.6 bWAR in 67 video games.
After a lingering left calf pressure pushed his 2025 season debut again to Could 13, LeMahieu began gradual however raised his common to .266 in July. Nonetheless he had a .674 OPS with simply two dwelling runs, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored and an OPS+ of 90 after 45 video games with New York.
The Yankees wanted to make a change and supervisor Aaron Boone demoted LeMahieu to a bench participant function. However the Fifteenth-year veteran believes he nonetheless has loads to supply as he seeks a brand new membership.
With New York on the hook for $22 million in wage by the 2026 season, LeMahieu may signal for a prorated portion of the league minimal this 12 months. Given his no-risk worth, versatility and expertise, LeMahieu should not have bother discovering a group. Discovering a job as an on a regular basis starter, nevertheless, may show tougher.