Here’s why Yankees approach with DJ LeMahieu is actually smart

The Michael Kay Show brought up a good point about the Yankees and DJ LeMahieu.

While we all sit back and freak out that the New York Yankees have yet to come to terms with team MVP DJ LeMahieu, perhaps cooler heads will prevail. However, it is scary to think that giving the Yankees this much time to sit back could potentially convince them they don’t need to spend $75+ million on one player. But that’s for another time.

When considering all the factors — the global pandemic, the Yankees’ World Series window, the fact that a contract for LeMahieu will cover (at least) his age-32-35 seasons — general manager Brian Cashman has put the team in the best position possible. They’ve talked extensively with LeMahieu and his agent, made an offer, and will remain in contact as he receives offers from other clubs, according to reports.

Though a lot of people would be much happier with the Yankees ponying up and just paying the $100 million to avoid any further headache, this is the right approach even though it doesn’t feel that way.

If the Yankees have to pay five years and $100 million because another team offered that, indications are they’d probably do it. But if they don’t have to in the event LeMahieu’s market is underwhelming among the other 29 MLB teams, then New York is in good position to save a few bucks and spend it elsewhere.

They’re playing the waiting game. Yes, the Yankees pretty much had an exclusive negotiating window with LeMahieu for quite some time and failed to agree to a deal, but that’s because there were no other offers to compete with. And from a negotiating standpoint, the Yankees would almost be dumb to meet LeMahieu’s demands without proof that there’s a market for what he’s looking for.

The Yankees continue to speak highly of LeMahieu, and all we’ve heard from LeMahieu is that he wants to return to New York. It’s hard to believe either of these parties won’t act in good faith as other teams start to get involved in the mix. LeMahieu isn’t going to bolt the second he sees a higher offer and the Yankees aren’t going to continually lowball him.

At least that’s how we feel. And in an offseason that’s still not out of the woods yet because there’s still uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic as well as the parameters surrounding the 2021 season, fans can’t be that upset with how the Yankees are going about their business.

You have the right to be a little upset, though.

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