Yankees: 3 free agent replacements for DJ LeMahieu

1. Marcus Semien, SS

The Yankees are getting connected to Marcus Semien.

This one we didn’t see coming, but Jeff Passan illuminated the connection on Monday.

Mainly, we’d counted Semien out because we didn’t see the third-place MVP finisher from 2019 succumbing to the dull market and accepting a one-year deal. However, it now seems he’s been put through the wringer already, with teams asking about a possible position switch to third or second, as well as his short-term viability.

Coming off a down 2020 (but who isn’t?), Semien brings 30-homer power and is the current leader in WAR among all free agents over the past three seasons at 12.6. Not bad. Literally the best.

Per the metrics, he’s been an elite defender in recent years, too, save for ’20. But the metrics are wonky, and taking one year (especially a 60-gamer) at face value is dangerous. Semien’s glove established itself at the big league level before his bat ever did, and he’d be a welcome addition at just 30 years old.

According to FanGraphs, the five closest comparisons at Semien’s age to his ability at shortstop were Derek Jeter, Barry Larkin, Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Crawford, and José Reyes.

Even if he’s not the target we anticipated coming off his hotly-contested MVP finalist run with LeMahieu in 2019, any Yankee fan worth his salt would admit he’d be a hard addition to turn down.

3 DFA’d targets Yankees should sign after 40-man shuffle

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