The defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are pondering making a major addition, according to a new report.
In an appearance on MLB Network Tuesday, Dodgers beat reporter David Vassegh said that the team is interested in free-agent infielder DJ LeMahieu.
“Andrew did say at the beginning of the winter that he would like to add a right-handed bat, and from what I’m hearing, DJ LeMahieu is on their radar. They are definitely in talks with LeMahieu.”
LeMahieu, 32, has slashed .336/.386/.536 with 36 home runs and 129 RBIs over the past two seasons with the New York Yankees, grading out as the 12th most valuable offensive player in the sport. A three-time All-Star, LeMahieu won the 2020 American League batting title, adding onto the National League one that he won while playing for the Colorado Rockies in 2016.
Given the success that he's had over the past half decade, LeMahieu is hoping for his largest payday yet in free agency. However, while Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors projected LeMahieu would sign a four-year/$68 million deal at the outset of the offseason, but Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media has reported that the veteran second baseman is targeting a five-year/$125 million deal. Clearly, whether it's with the Yankees, Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays or another suitor, LeMahieu's team will need to lower their price a bit, unless one team plans to come off the top rope and blow other offers away.
As far as the on-field fit of LeMahieu in Los Angeles, presumably he would take over at second base, and push Gavin Lux to third base to replace Justin Turner. Of course, Dave Roberts likes players that can play multiple positions, and LeMahieu has extensive experience at first and third base as well. It's not hard to see why he would appeal in Los Angeles, or anywhere else, for that matter.
While the guess here is that the Dodgers will ultimately re-sign Turner and LeMahieu will go elsewhere, they do face increased pressure from within the National League West. Led by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., the San Diego Padres finished with a 37-23 record in 2020, the second-best mark in the National League. This winter, they've traded for two All-Star caliber pitchers, Yu Darvish and Blake Snell, while signing star Korean infielder Ha-Seong Kim. Even with the best roster in the sport, it's no guarantee that the Dodgers win their own division in 2021, or beyond.
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