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3 reasons DJ LeMahieu needs to be Yankees’ No. 1 priority

By Brad Weiss |
Oct 5, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Yankees have a lot to think about this offseason in terms of their roster, but re-signing D.J. LeMahieu is a no-brainer.

Since arriving in the Bronx, infielder DJ LeMahieu has been nothing short of magnificent for the New York Yankees, producing at both the plate and on defense. The two-year deal he signed with the team has turned into quite the steal, and general manager Brian Cashman should do everything he can to make sure DJLM doesn’t leave.

Looking back at his first two seasons with the Yankees, it is clear that LeMahieu vastly out-played the $24 million he was given. In 2020, he followed up a monster 2019 campaign by leading the league in batting average during the COVID-19 shortened season, and took his bat to the playoffs, showing he can perform under the biggest and brightest lights.

In 2019, LeMahieu finished fourth in MVP voting, and he should once again be the mix for the award this season. The Yankees have already given him a qualifying offer, which he will certainly reject, but if Brian Cashman wants to continue to move this franchise in the right direction, LeMahieu has to be a part of the long-term plan.

Here are three reasons the Yankees need to make LeMahieu their No. 1 priority in free agency this offseason.

DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees — Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees — Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Versatility

DJ LeMahieu’s defensive versatility cannot be understated.

When it comes to LeMahieu, a lot is talked about his bat, and it’s easy to understand why. He’s been arguably the best hitter in baseball over the past two years. However, while he is certainly a wizard once he steps in to the batter’s box, he is also an astute defender and can play first, second and third base.

With the Yankees, he has shown that he can play all over the diamond, and that’s something that should make him a priority for Brian Cashman this offseason. There are a lot of question marks in terms of this roster, including what to do with Gleyber Torres, who has struggled mightily at shortstop since taking over.

Bringing LeMahieu back to possibly play first base would enable the Yankees to go after a more sure-handed option at shortstop, and maybe bring back a familiar face in Didi Gregorius, who was not given a qualifying offer by the Philadelphia Phillies. That would move Torres back to second and likely force the Yankees to trade Luke Voit.

We know that’s an unlikely option, but it’s a good secondary one to consider when bringing back DJ. At the very least, he’ll be able to fill in elsewhere across the infield when there are inevitably injuries. But we can expect him to be the full-time second baseman unless Cashman is ready to make big changes.

LeMahieu is still in his prime  Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
LeMahieu is still in his prime  Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. LeMahieu is still in his prime

This is DJ LeMahieu’s prime. Use it all up, Yankees.

The Yankees brought LeMahieu to town as a 30-year-old from the Colorado Rockies, a franchise known for bloated offensive statistics. While the hope was LeMahieu could hit outside of Colorado, nobody could have expected what he has brought to the Yankees lineup.

There’s still a lot of pop left in LeMahieu’s bat even at 32 years old, and he has the kind of presence and approach at the plate that will enable him to be a consistent hitter well into his 30s. The Yankees have a lot of guys in the lineup who are feast or famine, but LeMahieu is a machine and can do it all. He can get a leadoff hit, he puts the ball in play when runners are on, he beats the shift, he can go yard, whatever you want.

Additionally, LeMahieu as we mentioned previously about his defensive versatility, the Yankees will have the option of shifting him over to first base if his fielding starts to regress with age (assuming he’s signed to a four- or five-year deal). But LeMahieu was a late-bloomer, so this seems to be the wheelhouse of his prime playing days.

He probably has two more at this peak level and will still be productive beyond that. This is what you want to pay for if you’re a front office, and given his age, LeMahieu won’t command anything that’s prohibitive in terms of contract length.

The Yankees will be getting top value here, so it’s worth it to pay up.

DJ LeMahieu has been well worth the money Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
DJ LeMahieu has been well worth the money Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. He’s the best free agent available

Why would the Yankees not pay for the best free agent on the market?

Watching this team bring in high-priced guys who fail has been a common theme in recent years, but in LeMahieu, they got it right. In fact, even if the team has to overpay for his services on this next contract, he is going to be well worth the money because 2019 and 2020 came at a significant discount. That’s the way the Yankees have to look at this.

DJLM is the best free agent available and there’s no reason not to get this done as soon as possible. Don’t believe us?

The Yankees slugger leads all free-agent second baseman in WAR. The other free-agent leaders at their positions? JT Realmuto, Carlos Santana, Marcus Semien, Justin Turner, Marcell Ozuna, Nelson Cruz, Michael Brantley, Adam Eaton, George Springer, Charlie Morton and Liam Hendriks. It’s safe to say LeMahieu is the best option out of all of those guys, probably except Springer, who is going to command a mega deal the Yankees wouldn’t want to pay anyway. Plus, they have no room in the outfield at the moment.

LeMahieu has proven to be one of the most reliable Yankees in terms of health and staying on the field. He’s the engine that powers the Yankees’ offense, regardless of the presence of so many power bats behind him. He gets the rallies started and he keeps them going.

Also, the current Yankees roster is filled with young players, and LeMahieu will be counted on as a veteran anchor for a team that will be expected to compete for a championship again next season.

LeMahieu’s prime lines right up with the Yankees best chance to win a World Series. This deal needs to be done ASAP.

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