Why DJ LeMahieu Is Primed To Play Elsewhere in 2021
DJ LeMahieu, to put it bluntly, was a disappointing signing for many Yankees fans in the off-season heading into 2019 because signing LeMahieu took them out of the running for Manny Machado. Yet, one season into each of their deals, I would say the Yanks made the right call. LeMahieu was an MVP caliber player last year hitting a whopping .327 with 102 RBIs, and 26 homers.
On the other side, the Yankees only have LeMahieu under contract for this coming season, the deal of LeMahieu was anything but long-term. When the season comes, LeMahieu will want to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. If he does that, he will get paid very well by some team, hopefully the Yankees.
DJ has the reputation of being a no nonsense guy and with this added motivation, I expect big things from the 2019 MVP candidate. 2020 should be a big season for him again.
But I do not expect him to re-sign with the Yankees at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
If DJ performs well this season, I have a hard time seeing Brian Cashman paying him his value in New York. The big drawback with LeMahieu is his age. He will be approaching and probably passing his mid-30’s with his next contract. Spending big money on a guy who is at the peak or on the way down doesn’t seem like a smart move.
Sometimes players burst on the scene, shine brightly, and then disappear. I’m afraid that will be the trajectory that DJ LeMahieu’s Yankees career will take.
I wish it weren’t so.
