Yankees News: DJ LeMahieu, Jose Abreu, Astros improve

You know it’s a good morning for Yankees News when the top Yankees News stories are about a Yankees player’s injury and a hated rival getting better!

As the Winter Meetings approach, all eyes in the Yankees’ front office that aren’t currently trained on Aaron Judge’s meetings in San Francisco/time on the west coast should probably be focused on DJ LeMahieu. The utility star’s injured toe (sesamoid bone, to be exact) reportedly feels great, but the doctor The Athletic spoke to this week claims surgery to fix the issue has a 90% success rate. The fracture could heal on its own … or it could continue to diminish LeMahieu’s power moving forward for the duration of his contract. One wonders why the team doesn’t just perform the surgery now rather than waiting to render a verdict until January, when that would mean the procedure would knock him out through June.

Additionally … does the uncertainty surrounding LeMahieu’s future make him the infielder the Yankees try to move, rather than Gleyber Torres? Seems unlikely … but …

More Yankees News

• The Houston Astros, a team that had Anthony Rizzo reportedly atop their wish list two weeks ago, moved on and signed soon-to-be 36-year-old Jose Abreu to play first base, giving him ~$20 million annually for the next three seasons. He’s likely a DH, and so is Yordan Alvarez, but Abreu would’ve been the second-best offensive player on the 2022 Yankees, and the Crawford Boxes should help his power numbers. In short … crap. The AL absolutely still runs through Houston, no matter what happens with Justin Verlander.
• Justin Verlander, a player the Yankees are reportedly interested in pursuing, met with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Judge still maintains a stranglehold on the Yankees’ offseason. One must wonder if the “additional moves” Hal Steinbrenner reportedly promised him could come next year instead, when the “kids” are also one season more ready.
• As for those kiddos, Steinbrenner pledged this week that both Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe would get a serious crack at the Opening Day roster. He’d, uh, better be right, especially in Peraza’s case. Per Jon Heyman, there seems to be zero enthusiasm for Isiah Kiner-Falefa as the team’s 2023 starter at short.

MLB News

• Mike Clevinger has inked a free agent deal with the Chicago White Sox, where he presumably will be asked to immediately replace Jose Abreu’s power production.
• Miguel Cabrera claims he’s healthy and ready for his final season with the Tigers. Miggy is 93 home runs away from 600, and you just know when he’s sitting on 92 in mid-September that Apple TV+ is getting that game.
• MLB insider Joel Sherman believes Trea Turner to the Phillies has “a good chance to happen.” Just make sure Bryce Harper doesn’t pull the strings too hard, as he’s still rehabbing from Tommy John.

Ex-Phillies closer thinks Yankees should spend their FA money in weirdest way possible

Ex-Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge believes the New York Yankees should use their limited free agent money on Kenley Jansen.