Brian Cashman is one of the most respected baseball executives in the last 25 years, but even he couldn't have predicted the output that the New York Yankees would get when they inked DJ LeMahieu to a two-year/$24 million deal before the 2019 season.
Over the lifetime of his two-year deal, LeMahieu slashed .336/.386/.536 with 36 home runs, 129 RBIs and an 8.4 fWAR. LeMahieu has graded out as the 12th-most valuable offensive player in the sport over that same period. Though he signed for $24 million, FanGraphs' WAR to $ scale says that LeMahieu's production over the past two years has been worth $62.7 million, a staggering amount when you remember that the 2020 season was only 60 games long.
Understandably, LeMahieu has become a fan favorite in the Bronx over the past two years, and the Yankees would like to retain the three-time All-Star's services. That said, it's going to cost quite a bit more than $24 million over two seasons to sign LeMahieu this time around, as evidenced by the fact that he plans to decline the one-year/$18.9 million qualifying offer extended to him by the Yankees.
While the Yankees enter free agency as the favorite to sign LeMahieu, they'll face some competition for the 32-year-old, potentially even from within their division:
New York Yankees
DJ LeMahieu has spent the past two seasons with the Yankees.(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Again, the Yankees are seemingly the favorites here. Over the past two years, he's been the most valuable player for the team. The Yankees, like many teams, might be inclined to pinch pennies this offseason because of economic uncertainty in the sport, but that may have a limit. The Yankees suffered a disappointing postseason exit to the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, who eventually reached the World Series. They've gone 11 years without playing in - let alone winning - a World Series. Does a scenario exist where they go all-in and trade for Francisco Lindor, move Gleyber Torres back to second and allow LeMahieu to walk? Sure, but the most likely scenario still remains that LeMahieu is back with the Yankees in 2021, even if it means playing a bit more first base to accommodate the team likely wanting to see less of Torres at shortstop.
Washington Nationals
DJ LeMahieu has had two productive seasons in New York.(Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today)A year after winning the World Series, the Nationals finished in a tie for last place in the National League East. Part of that was because reigning World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg made just two starts in 2020, but when you lose Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon in consecutive offseasons, it starts to catch up with you. Juan Soto and Trea Turner are legitimate offensive superstars, but Dave Martinez's lineup could use another elite bat to alleviate some of the pressure on those two to be perfect. Part of that may be hoping that the trio of Victor Robles, Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia begins to come of age in 2021. But adding a player that's won a batting title in both leagues - and could play both first and second base - would seem to go a long way in helping the Nationals to compete in a division with four other teams seemingly trying to win right now.
Los Angeles Angels
DJ LeMahieu is one of the best pure hitters in baseball.(Brad Penner/USA Today)George A. King III of The New York Post has reported that the Angels have interest in Didi Gregorius, so clearly they are trying to make a big splash in the middle infield. Though they'll continue to have a need in the starting rotation - which is why they make so much sense for Trevor Bauer - adding LeMahieu into a lineup with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani would give Joe Maddon's team a pretty imposing lineup. LeMahieu would likely be the primary second baseman in 2021, but over the lifetime of the deal, he may shift to playing first base on a more regular basis, with Albert Pujols' deal set to expire after 2021.
Toronto Blue Jays
Could DJ LeMahieu join a division-rival?(Brian Fluharty/USA Today)After sneaking into the postseason in 2020, the Blue Jays have already been connected to George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr., so it appears that general manager Ross Atkins could cast a wide net this winter. Though this doesn't always prove to be the best strategy, one way to try to level the playing field with the division-rival Yankees could be to sign one of their best players. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors has actually projected that the Blue Jays will land LeMahieu on a four-year/$68 million deal this winter. If the Blue Jays are confident that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can play third base at least for a few seasons, signing LeMahieu to play first base is a pretty intriguing idea.
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