Yankees and DJ LeMahieu reportedly far apart on contract demands

The Yankees and DJ LeMahieu are far apart, and no deal is imminent.

For everyone who’s been worrying about the Yankees foolishly letting DJ LeMahieu walk by offering him far below market value, then claiming he was their “top priority” all along and things don’t work out sometimes…yeah, you’re probably right.

Yankees insider Brendan Kuty revealed on Sunday morning that, per his insider source speaking on the condition of anonymity, that a report that concluded LeMahieu was seeking five years and $100 million while the Yankees were offering four years and $75 million wasn’t entirely accurate.

In fact, according to this source, the Yankees were offering four years but even less money.

Even the most optimistic among us (and there aren’t many left!) have to admit that’s a massive gap to make up and it portends disaster.

This report is framed in a manner that intends to preach caution among the fan base instead of causing them to overturn cars, but unfortunately, the damage was done as soon as the headline was read.

Per the text, the MLBPA is advising free agents not to leap at the first offer they receive unless it happens to meet their exact parameters, especially with so much uncertainty entering the season, down to its most basic elements like Spring Training start dates. Therefore, even if the Yankees and LeMahieu agree to eventually reunite, it could very well be a while.

But that optimism is definitely quelled when you realize the sheer magnitude of the numerical gap here. Add in the recent Gleyber Torres discourse, and it at least seems plausible that the Yankees are somewhat hoping that LeMahieu moves on so they may pursue a high-dollar shortstop next offseason.

Sure, the Yankees have budged off their initial dollar evaluation in the past, like for Gerrit Cole just one year ago. But have they ever budged by over $25 million? Certainly not in a pandemic! And if they’ve acquiesced so little so far, why would they suddenly do so in the weeks to come?

Someone’s going to have to move mountains here, and it’s probably going to be LeMahieu. And why would he? Are the Yankees his top priority if their initial valuation of his services is this embarrassing?

We’re not sure where LeMahieu will go if it’s not the Yankees. Kuty rightfully raises doubts that the Blue Jays would really spend their possibly limited funds in an area that isn’t necessarily of need. The Mets haven’t dipped their toes in yet, and the Dodgers have simply buzzed without action.

But this is the most worrisome level of detail we’ve had so far on the negotiations, and it’s impossible to put on a brave face and pretend $25 million isn’t one hell of a gap.

This Yankees-Pirates trade involving Jameson Taillon could actually work

Rumors surfaced at the Winter Meetings that the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates could be talking a trade. How about this one?