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After months of observation, Yankees move closer to new contract with second baseman DJ LeMahieu, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (via Twitter). The terms of the potential deal are not yet known, but the deal could be reached as early as today, according to Morosi. LeMahieu is represented by Wasserman.
LeMahieu, 32, has been the top priority for the Yankees all season. General manager Brian Cashman admitted this a few weeks ago, but the club also apparently let LeMahieu explore his options in the open market rather than emulate the Yankees of old and simply write him a blank check to the ‘advanced. The interest between the two sides was mutual, and it has long been evident that the Yankees would have the opportunity to match any offer LeMahieu received elsewhere. The impending reunion will surely come at a higher price than his initial agreement, which turned out to be a bargain; reports recently suggested that LeMahieu was seeking to Josh donaldsonfour-year, $ 92 million contract – ideally on a five-year deal.
The focus on LeMahieu is more than understandable for the Yankees, who looked like an odd adjustment for the longtime Rockies second baseman two years ago when he signed a two-year, $ 24million contract. dollars to come to the Bronx. The Yankees already boasted a relatively complete infielder, but injuries and LeMahieu’s best immediate career production quickly pushed him to work regularly as a manager. Aaron Boonerange. Versatile LeMahieu recorded the action not only on second base but also on inside corners, emerging not only as the Yankees’ most productive hitter at the time, but also a true MVP contender for the American League.
During his two seasons in New York, LeMahieu turned in an exceptional .336 / .386 / .536 hitting line – including a superhuman .364 / .421 / .590 line in the truncated 2020 season. That performance of .364 marked the second time in his career that LeMahieu led the league on average – he also won a batting title with the 2016 Rockies – but he had never mustered that kind of power before landing at New York. Yankee Stadium has proven to be the perfect fit for LeMahieu, who leads the Majors in circuits on the opposite field for the past two seasons after making full use of the small porch of his new home park in right field.
That doesn’t decrease LeMahieu’s production with the Yankees, of course. He remains one of the toughest players in all of baseball to hit thanks to his superlative ball batting skills, and LeMahieu has increased his punch rate and exit speed since his days at Coors Field. LeMahieu’s 12.7 percent strikeout rate is the seventh lowest in all of baseball among hitters in the past two seasons, and he has the eighth lowest strike rate of any Majors player at that time.
A reunion with the Yankees means LeMahieu will remain the primary second baseman, with Gleyber Torres resuming his role from shortstop. There have been a lot of questions about Torres’ ability to become a strong or even average shortstop defender after a couple of seasons punctuated by mistakes, but the club have publicly expressed confidence that Torres is up to the job. of the challenge.
LeMahieu and Torres, then, will be marked as the Yankees’ double play tandem for the foreseeable future, with Gio Urshela and Luke You maintaining the inside corners of the field. That still leaves the former Rookie of the Year finalist Miguel andujar without a clear path to the everyday bats, although it still has a minor league option and can also be worked as a bench often used to see the time in third, first and left field.
More soon.
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