Latest news with #LeMahieu
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Yankees Utilityman Reportedly Expected To Sign Soon After Trade Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A longtime infielder may be back on the diamond sooner rather than later. Utilityman DJ LeMahieu has been out of a job since he was released by the New York Yankees earlier this month. Recent reports indicate Lemahieu could be back on the field soon with a fresh start and a new team for the remainder of the season. TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees fields a ground ball against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on July... TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees fields a ground ball against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. MoreAccording to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, LeMahieu is eager to sign with a new team but will wait until after the trade deadline to do so. Lemahieu was batting .266 with two home runs and 12 RBI before being released by New York to make way for an eventual trade for a third baseman. While he is certainly near the end of his career, LeMahieu still showed that he can hit major league pitching and can potentially be helpful to a team looking to make a run at the postseason. After his release, it was reported that multiple teams were showing interest in the three-time All Star. There were never any specific teams listed, but there are several teams that would make sense and could use a right-handed bat in their lineup. Playoff hopeful teams such as the Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers have seen major struggles from their designated hitters. With his limited range at his age, the DH role would be the most likely position for LeMahieu to move into to get out the little bit of good baseball he has left in him. With the trade deadline culminating on Thursday, the longtime infielder should be signing relatively soon and playing out what could be the final season of his career. More MLB: MLB Insider Reports Rangers Will Be Active At MLB Trade Deadline
Newsweek
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Latest Yankees Castoff Picked to Catch on With AL West Contender
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees on Thursday shocked the baseball world when they released 15-year veteran infielder and two-time batting champion D.J. LeMahieu. Though manager Aaron Boone informed LeMahieu earlier in the week that he had lost his starting job at second base and would be riding the bench until further notice, the 36-year-old LeMahieu wanted to stay with the Yankees and was blindsided by the team's sudden decision to cast him aside, according to media reports. But according to one MLB insider, Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, LeMahieu — who won the American League batting title in the COVID-shortened 2020 season with a .364 average — may soon find another baseball home, about as far away from New York as possible while still remaining in the major leagues. ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees looks on in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 27, 2025... ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees looks on in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 27, 2025 in Anaheim, California. More"As I mentioned on MLB Network, I wonder about the Mariners as a possible fit," Morosi wrote on his social media Thursday. According to Bridget Hyland, a sports reporter for NJ Advance Media, if LeMahieu were signed by the Seattle Mariners, as Morosi speculates, it may necessitate a move to first base. LeMahieu has played just 239 of his 1,673 big league games at first. All but four of those appearances at first base came during his six seasons with the Yankees. Second base and DH would also remain in play for LeMahieu in Seattle, should he end up there, the NJ Advance Media scribe wrote. "The Mariners start lefty Luke Raley at first, but he is ineffective against same-side pitchers. Donovan Solano is currently serving as the first base backup, playing 315 2/3 innings at the position this year," Hyland wrote on Friday. "He started the season in one of the worst slumps of his career, and while he turned around his season in June, he still has been a weak spot in the lineup with an 81 OPS+." More MLB: Braves Announcement Appears to Seal Fate of Yankees Castoff Alex Verdugo When he won the batting title in 2020, a year when he also led the AL in on-base percentage (.421) and OPS (1.011) as well as WAR (3.0), LeMahieu rather surprisingly became the first Yankee to lead the league in batting average since outfielder Bernie Williams did it in 1998, hitting at a .339 clip. LeMahieu actually led both leagues in batting in 2020, the first Yankee to notch that achievement since legendary Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle hit .353 in 1956. According to Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch, LeMahieu was ready to play third base, where he served for 36 games last season. He was "not happy" to be denied the chance and released instead, Hoch reported More MLB: Yankees Cut Ties With DJ LeMahieu Just 1 Day After Benching Him By cutting LeMahieu loose, the Yankees are stuck paying him $6.61 million for the remainder of this season to not play for them. Next season, the final year of his six-year, $90 million contract, they will owe him $15 million. Even if he is picked by Seattle, or any other team, the Yankees remain on the hook for the vast bulk of that money. Under MLB rules, LeMahieu's new team would need to pay him only the prorated portion of the minimum $740,000 this year. The Yankees would remain obligated to cover the rest. Next year's minimum salary goes up to $780,000 so if LaMahieu catches on with a team in 2026, the Yankees would be required to pay him $14.22 million to play for somebody else. More MLB: Yankees' DJ LeMahieu Reacts to Harsh Roster Move He 'Didn't Ask For'
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Aaron Judge Shuts Down Ridiculous Rumor Surrounding Yankees' DJ LeMahieu Release
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The New York Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment on Wednesday and released him from the roster Thursday. LeMahieu was struggling defensively, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. was struggling after having to move to third base to accommodate LeMahieu. The Yankees were clearly tired of their defensive struggles in the infield and moved Chisholm back to second base. However, Aaron Boone noted that third base was a challenge for LeMahieu physically, and he would be on the bench moving forward. LeMahieu's release was likely long overdue. He has dealt with multiple injuries in the last three seasons and has a .665 OPS since the start of 2023. According to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips, there were reports that the Yankees considered releasing LeMahieu last September to call up Jasson Domínguez, but Aaron Judge and other Yankees veterans "protested" and prevented it from happening. Judge addressed the rumor after LeMahieu was released. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 4: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees reacts after Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees dumped water on him after hitting a walk-off single during the... NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 4: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees reacts after Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees dumped water on him after hitting a walk-off single during the tenth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees won 4-3. More"I'm a player. I don't make decisions," Judge told Phillips. "That's more of a front office thing. So I got nothing on that. If they're listening to what the players are doing, then maybe we should get paid a little bit more to do their jobs too." LeMahieu and Judge have been teammates since 2019, and it was likely not an easy decision to let LeMahieu go. He is still owed $22 million on his six-year, $90 million deal. In his first three seasons with the Yankees, he was an All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger, a batting champion and finished in the top five for American League MVP twice. However, injuries caught up to him and eventually led to the end of his Yankees tenure. LeMahieu is a free agent now that he cleared waivers. More MLB: Diamondbacks $18 Million Pitcher Called 'Best Match' To Fill Giants' Biggest Weakness
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
New York Yankees cut 2-time batting champ DJ LeMahieu with nearly $22 million left on his contract
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees cut DJ LeMahieu with almost $22 million remaining on his contract, one day after they demoted the two-time batting champion to the bench. 'It's been a tough couple days. Some hard conversations,' manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday before the Yankees' 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners. 'But in the end, feel like this is the right thing to do at this time.' LeMahieu, who turns 37 on Sunday, was designated for assignment Wednesday and fellow infielder Jorbit Vivas was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees released LeMahieu on Thursday, owing $21,612,903 from the six-year, $90 million deal he signed before the 2021 season: $6,612,903 for the rest of this year and $15 million in 2026. Any team can sign him for a prorated share of the $760,000 minimum. 'Tough decisions,' general manager Brian Cashman said. 'It ultimately comes down to how this roster sits and what's best. You want to provide your manager with enough chess moves.' LeMahieu, a three-time All-Star, was batting .266 with two homers, 12 RBIs and a .674 OPS. He made his season debut May 13 after recovering from a left calf strain and had a .310 average in his last 31 games since June 1. A versatile defender in the past, LeMahieu has made all 35 of his starts at second base this year — even though he has plenty of experience at third and the Yankees essentially have a hole there. Going back to the winter, LeMahieu expressed a preference to play second or first because third base 'had become an issue physically' at this stage of his career, Cashman said. That's why LeMahieu played second exclusively throughout his minor-league rehab assignment and was inserted there when he came off the injured list. All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. began the season at second base, his natural position, after playing third for the Yankees last year. But he got hurt in late April, and when he returned in early June from a right oblique strain, he moved back to third for a while as LeMahieu stayed at second. 'We gave him runway to see what he looked like, to see if this dimension with the current setup was going to be workable,' Cashman said. 'At some point, you make some tough decisions.' LeMahieu won three Gold Gloves at second base with the Colorado Rockies from 2014-18 and another one in a utility role with the Yankees in 2022. But his range has been diminished by toe, foot, hip and calf injuries in recent years. The athletic Chisholm, meanwhile, has made some wild throws from third base lately while hindered by a sore shoulder. So on Tuesday, Boone moved Chisholm back to second and put LeMahieu on the bench. Boone said LeMahieu didn't ask for his release and was willing to start working out at other positions — including third base — to provide options. But a day later, after multiple meetings with Boone and Cashman this week, LeMahieu's 6½-year tenure with the Yankees came to an unceremonious end. 'Looking at what the next few weeks could unveil, Cash and I decided it was probably the day to go ahead and do it,' Boone said. 'I just feel like how our roster's built, maybe this gives us some more flexibility in the short term.' Boone said third base going forward will be 'some kind of combination' of Vivas and light-hitting Oswald Peraza, who started there for the second consecutive night Wednesday. Boone also said backup catcher J.C. Escarra could 'figure into that mix.' Regardless, Cashman will be looking for a third baseman as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. The Yankees added depth by signing infielder Nicky Lopez and third baseman Jeimer Candelario to minor-league contracts this month. LeMahieu won his first batting title in 2016 with the Rockies and his second with the Yankees in 2020, when he hit .364 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 50 games during the pandemic-shortened season. 'As widely respected a player as we've had — and understandably so,' Boone said. 'He's earned that with his professionalism, his toughness, his play on the field and the quiet way he goes about things. There's a lot of guys that have an immense amount of respect for DJ. 'Sometimes you have to make hard decisions.' In another move, the Yankees opened a roster spot for right-hander Cam Schlittler by designating reliever Geoff Hartlieb for assignment. Schlittler was selected from Triple A to start Wednesday night against the Mariners in his major-league debut.
NBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Yankees release DJ LeMahieu while still owing him $22 million
DJ LeMahieu was cut by the New York Yankees with almost $22 million remaining on his contract, one day after the two-time batting champion got demoted to the bench. "It's been a tough couple days. Some hard conversations," manager Aaron Boone said before New York's 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners. "But in the end, feel like this is the right thing to do at this time." LeMahieu, who turns 37 on Sunday, was designated for assignment Wednesday and fellow infielder Jorbit Vivas was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New York released LeMahieu on Thursday, owing $21,612,903 from the $90 million, six-year deal he signed with the Yankees prior to the 2021 season: $6,612,903 for the rest of this year and $15 million in 2026. Any team can sign him for a prorated share of the $760,000 minimum. "Tough decisions," general manager Brian Cashman said. "It ultimately comes down to how this roster sits and what's best. You want to provide your manager with enough chess moves." LeMahieu, a three-time All-Star, was batting .266 with two homers, 12 RBIs and a .674 OPS. He made his season debut May 13 after recovering from a left calf strain and had a .310 average in his last 31 games since June 1. A versatile defender in the past, LeMahieu has made all 35 of his starts at second base this year — even though he's got plenty of experience at third and the Yankees essentially have a hole there. Going back to the winter, LeMahieu expressed a preference to play second or first because third base "had become an issue physically" at this stage of his career, Cashman said. So that's why LeMahieu played second exclusively throughout his minor league rehab assignment and was inserted there when he came off the injured list. All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. began the season at second base, his most natural position, after playing third for the Yankees last year. But he got hurt in late April and when he returned in early June from a right oblique strain, he moved back to the hot corner for a while as LeMahieu stayed at second. "We gave him runway to see what he looked like, to see if this dimension with the current setup was going to be workable," Cashman said. "At some point, you make some tough decisions." LeMahieu won three Gold Gloves at second with Colorado from 2014-18 — and another one in a utility role with the Yankees in 2022. But his range has been diminished by toe, foot, hip and calf injuries in recent years. The athletic Chisholm, meanwhile, has made some wild throws from third base lately while hindered by a sore shoulder. So on Tuesday, Boone moved Chisholm back to second and put LeMahieu on the bench. Boone said LeMahieu didn't ask for his release and was willing to start working out at other positions — including third base — to provide options. But a day later, after multiple meetings with Boone and Cashman this week, LeMahieu's 6 1/2-year tenure with the Yankees came to an unceremonious end. "Looking at what the next few weeks could unveil, kind of Cash and I decided today like, it was probably the day to go ahead and do it," Boone said. "I just feel like now and how our roster's built, maybe this gives us some more flexibility in the short term." Boone said third base going forward will be "some kind of combination" between Vivas and light-hitting Oswald Peraza, who started at the hot corner for the second consecutive night Wednesday. Boone also said backup catcher J.C. Escarra could even "figure into that mix." Regardless, Cashman will be looking for a third baseman as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. New York added depth by signing infielder Nicky Lopez and third baseman Jeimer Candelario to minor league contracts this month. LeMahieu won his first batting title in 2016 with the Rockies and his second with New York in 2020, when he hit .364 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 50 games during the pandemic-shortened season. "As widely respected a player as we've had — and understandably so," Boone said. "He's earned that with just his professionalism, his toughness, his play on the field and just kind of the quiet way he goes about things. There's a lot of guys that have an immense amount of respect for DJ. "Sometimes you have to make hard decisions." In another move, the Yankees opened a roster spot for right-hander Cam Schlittler by designating reliever Geoff Hartlieb for assignment. Schlittler was selected from Triple-A to start Wednesday night against Seattle in his major league debut.
