The New York Yankees made a significant decision this week, designating two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu for assignment, likely marking the end of his seven-year stint with the organization. Despite being owed $22 million through the next season, the Yankees felt the move was necessary to reshape their roster.
“It’s about tough decisions,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman explained. “Ultimately, it comes down to providing the manager with the strategic flexibility needed for daily decisions during games.” That’s a reminder of how critical roster moves are in the high-stakes environment of Major League Baseball.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone shed light on the discussions leading up to the decision, which involved several meetings with LeMahieu, a respected figure within the Yankees’ locker room. Just a day earlier, Boone had announced that Jazz Chisholm Jr. would return to his natural position at second base, pushing LeMahieu into more of a bench role. While Boone stated that LeMahieu had not reacted positively to his changed status, he also emphasized that LeMahieu didn’t request his release.
“It’s been tough the last couple of days,” Boone said. “We’ve had some important conversations, and ultimately, coming to this conclusion was difficult, especially for someone who has contributed so much to our organization.”
At 37 years old, LeMahieu has had a down season, batting .266 with a .674 OPS in 45 games, a far cry from the heights he achieved in previous years. Since spending time on the injured list with a calf strain at the start of the season, he has shown some improvement after June 1, hitting .310 with a .754 OPS. However, Cashman felt the overall production didn’t make up for his defensive challenges.
LeMahieu was signed to a lucrative six-year, $90 million deal before the 2021 season after he led the league in batting with a staggering .364 average during the shortened 2020 season. The Yankees envisioned him as a versatile utility player who could handle multiple infield positions, but injuries have changed the landscape.
Last season, he started 36 of his 55 games at third base before being sidelined with a right hip impingement in September. Cashman noted that injuries had a substantial impact on LeMahieu’s performance and his ability to return to third base, with the player himself expressing concerns about the physical toll.
“His recovery was difficult,” Cashman said. “He indicated that physically, playing at that position was becoming a challenge.” This limitation became crystal clear during spring training when LeMahieu suffered a left calf strain in his first Grapefruit League game at third base, which ultimately led the Yankees to reevaluate his role going forward.
When LeMahieu returned to the lineup, he was placed at second base while Chisholm was on the injured list. However, after Chisholm returned and made his way back to third base, LeMahieu’s defensive range at second was increasingly noticeable.
Continuing the struggle, Chisholm revealed he had been dealing with shoulder issues caused by a prior throwing incident at third base, contributing to a series of errors. Just days later, Chisholm was reinstated as the Yankees’ second baseman, complicating LeMahieu’s path back to regular playing time.
With Chisholm, an All-Star this season, firmly at second, and the likes of former MVPs Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger at first and Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter, opportunities for LeMahieu were quickly dwindling. Cashman’s decision to let him go was rooted in a desire for more roster flexibility, especially with new calling up infielder Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A to take LeMahieu’s spot.
“LeMahieu’s a player with immense pride and commitment. He really wants to help the team and loves this organization,” Cashman said. “But it became more apparent that certain avenues were no longer viable for him, making it tough to move forward with our plans.”
It’s always hard to see a talented player like LeMahieu exit the scene, especially after so many contributions, but in this business, sometimes the hard choices are the ones that pave the way for new opportunities and strategies. Fans will undoubtedly reflect on LeMahieu’s impact as the Yankees navigate the next chapter of their season.
