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The Yankees are finally getting closer to DJ LeMahieu.
LeMahieu is nearing a $ 90 million deal – for five or six years – to return to the Bronx, a source confirmed.
It would mark the end of a long negotiation between the two sides who both wanted the same outcome, although the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Mets have all shown interest.
LeMahieu, 32, has just completed two exceptional seasons in the Bronx after signing with the Yankees for two years and $ 24 million before the 2019 season.
At the time, LeMahieu seemed like an unlikely fit in a crowded Yankee infield, but he quickly became invaluable, delivering a consistent offense and a solid glove at second base, in addition to first and third.
GM Brian Cashman has made it clear that LeMahieu is the Yankees’ top priority this offseason and is prepared to let other potential free agent targets sign elsewhere as the two sides negotiate.
“I understand that waiting for something you want and trying to find ways to make it happen… comes with risk,” Cashman said earlier in December. “It also has a downside, but there are some players that you think are more worth the wait game, and I think DJ LeMahieu is worth it.
Aaron Boone agreed, saying, “It’s no secret that he’s probably our # 1 priority to bring back this winter. I know [Cashman] working on this… I hope that at the end of it all, DJ has been a Yankee for a very long time.
In September, LeMahieu expressed his desire to stay in the Bronx.
“I want to stay here, but you never know how it’s going,” LeMahieu said at the time. “I thought I was going to stay in Colorado and I didn’t. Hope to be back here but you never know how it goes. ”
Now he’s back, which seems like good news for the Yankees, who have come to rely on LeMahieu’s consistency both on the pitch and in the clubhouse.
LeMahieu’s return likely keeps Gleyber Torres in second, with Luke Voit on first and Gio Urshela on third.
Cashman ruled out the possibility of moving LeMahieu first, which would allow Torres to come back to second base – where he’s less defensive – and trade Voit.
“I’m not pursuing a plan of trying to swap Luke Voit to sign LeMahieu to play first,” Cashman said. “My plan is, if we sign [LeMahieu], for him to play on second base.
Negotiations were complicated by the economic state of the game due to COVID-19, with team owner Hal Steinbrenner saying the Yankees lost the most income in majors last year.
And while the team hasn’t announced it publicly, it’s clear they intend to stay below the luxury tax threshold of $ 210 million in 2021, leaving little room to add. beyond LeMahieu without moving other major contracts.
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