Yankees Biggest Need – D.J. LeMahieu

Posted on by Charlie Ricker
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Free agency is here in Major League Baseball, and every team is formulating game plans for the 2021 season. Across the nation and world, baseball fans are excited in anticipation of their teams adding to their rosters. Except for Cubs fans, maybe. That makes me sad. I like the Cubs.

One of the best free agents on the market is DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu spent the last two seasons with the New York Yankees. To say he’s been valuable for the Bronx Bombers is a massive understatement. He was their prime catalyst in 2020, getting on base 42 percent of the time. His slash-line (.364/.421/.590) numbers were in the top-ten in every category except slugging, where he fell just a hair short.

His mere presence in the Yankees lineup made the team better. With LeMahieu playing, the team went 30-20 in those games. When he didn’t play, they won only three out of ten games. The level of contrast is remarkable.

Understandably, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is reluctant to give contracts to players beyond four years. Given he is 32 years old, it seems even wiser to not do so. However, LeMahieu is not your run of the mill early 30’s infielder. He drove in 102 runs in 2019 and finished 4th in American League MVP voting. Not only did he crack the top-five votes of 2019, he did the same in the 2020 season, coming in third. Silver Slugger Awards in both seasons as a Yankee. To be sure, D.J. is a leader. Perhaps he is even worth being named a captain. Furthermore, he can play everywhere in the infield except shortstop (and would likely be fine there as well). Need I go on?

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By the same token, other teams are getting ready to make offers to LeMahieu. With Robinson Cano now suspended for the 2021 season for another positive drug test for PED’s, the Mets are looking for a second baseman. With Steve Cohen now owning the crosstown team, they finally have an owner willing to spend.

To be sure, the Yankees need to add pitching in the free agent market, as there is no such thing as having too much pitching. I have no doubt the team will add some.

The Yankees would be wise to give LeMahieu what he wants and be done with it. He is their rock. It’s time.

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