The New York Yankees have officially parted ways with infielder DJ LeMahieu. The move was announced this afternoon; the team is designating him for assignment (DFA) after a long stretch of disappointing baseball. The Yankees will now need to pay DJ nearly $22 million for the remainder of his deal.
Yankees DFA DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu originally arrived in the Bronx in 2019, signing a two-year, $24 million contract at the time. In 195 games through the 2019–2020 seasons, LeMahieu batted .336 (the best in baseball in this stretch) with 36 home runs, 150 runs, a .386 on-base percentage, and a .922 OPS. These numbers warranted the massive contract extension that DJ received in 2021, when he signed a six-year, $90 million deal. After the 2019 playoff run, LeMahieu would never return to the player he once was.
His statistics for 2021–2025 were very disappointing. LeMahieu struggled to stay on the field, missing about 152 games over the span. Even when LeMahieu was on the field, his numbers were worrisome. His 697 OPS, with just eight home runs and 37 RBIs, handicapped the Yankees from having quality third base play.
What’s next for the Yankees
Both Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone took part in a press conference today following the release of LeMahieu. During the conference, they used their time to discuss their plans in the infield and how the talks with LeMahieu went.
“It’s been a tough couple of days. Wishing all the best for what’s been a great player,” said Aaron Boone on the Yankees designating DJ LeMahieu for assignment.
With LeMahieu now out of the picture for the Yankees’ infield, the team will have to turn to Jorbit Vivas, Oswald Peraza, and potentially J.C. Escarra for short-term options at third base.
The Yankees will be active in the infielder market over the next several weeks as the trade deadline looms overhead. With their short list of short-term options at third base currently, that could be a potential area of improvement for their playoff-hopeful roster.
Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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