The transfer comes just some days forward of LeMahieu’s thirty seventh birthday, which shall be on Sunday. Although he was beforehand a wonderful massive league hitter able to enjoying a number of positions, his manufacturing has nosedived as he has aged, each offensively and defensively.
He began this season on the 10-day injured listing attributable to a calf pressure. He got here off the IL in mid-Might. The Yanks gave him an opportunity to take over the second base job, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. moved over to 3rd base, however LeMahieu’s offense was subpar. Supervisor Aaron Boone
recently announced that Chisholm can be transferring again to second base.
LeMahieu had performed third base prior to now however Boone stated this week that wouldn’t be an possibility as it could be too bodily difficult for LeMahieu. Basic supervisor Brian Cashman stated Wednesday that LeMahieu talked about again within the winter that enjoying third base can be a problem for him bodily, per Greg Joyce of The New York Post.
That left the veteran seemingly restricted to a bench position however with out the defensive versatility he had beforehand offered. It appeared the window was closing on him being a helpful contributor for the Yankees, so they’re transferring on.
After a few years with the Rockies, the Yankees initially signed LeMahieu forward of the 2019 season, a two-year take care of a $24M assure. He was good over the course of that contract, hitting a mixed .336/.386/.536 over 195 video games. That manufacturing led to a 146 wRC+, indicating he was 46% higher than the league common hitter. He did that whereas bouncing between first base, second base and third base as wanted.
He returned to free company however the Yanks finally re-signed him, a six-year pact this time with a $90M assure. In hindsight, that in the end proved to be a misstep for the Yanks. In 2021, LeMahieu’s manufacturing fell to .268/.349/.362, translating to a 101 wRC+. He bounced again barely in 2022, with a .261/.357/.377 line and 115 wRC+, however he was a league common hitter once more in 2023.
Final yr, his age and accidents actually appeared to meet up with him. He missed important time attributable to a proper foot contusion and a proper hip impingement. He solely acquired into 67 video games and hit .204/.269/.259 for a 53 wRC+. This yr, as talked about, he started the yr on the IL. His offense got here again to a point, however his .266/.338/.336 line so far interprets to a wRC+ of 95.
It has lengthy appeared like LeMahieu has been cornered. Chisholm is a greater defender at second base and seems extra comfy there. Including a 3rd baseman on the deadline and transferring Chisholm to the keystone has lengthy appeared like a plan for the Yankees. They’ve been linked to gamers like Ryan McMahon and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in latest weeks. Cashman admitted Wednesday that he plans to search for third base upgrades forward of the deadline, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.
LeMahieu shall be on the open market within the coming days. He’s making $15M yearly via the top of subsequent yr, that means there’s nonetheless about $22M left to be paid out between every now and then. No membership will wish to declare that off the waiver wire. He has greater than sufficient service time to reject an outright task and hold these wage commitments in place. The Yankees might skip that formality and easily launch him. They’ll keep on the hook for that cash.
At that time, some other membership might signal him and would solely must pay him the prorated model of the league minimal wage. That quantity can be subtracted from what the Yankees pay. Given LeMahieu’s well being, age and up to date efficiency, he could also be restricted to minor league provides.
For now, the Yanks will cowl third with some mixture of Vivas, Oswald Peraza and backup catcher J.C. Escarra, Boone stated Wednesday, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Nevertheless, as talked about, they appear seemingly so as to add a participant from exterior the group by the July 31 deadline.
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