The New York Yankees once committed six years and $90 million to DJ LeMahieu.
Somehow, he never appeared in a single playoff game for the Bronx Bombers.
And on Wednesday, the Yankees designated him for assignment. If he clears waivers (which he will given that contract), he’ll have the chance to elect free agency.
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It’s an odd ending, spurred in part by the Yankees’ choice to move Jazz Chisholm back to his preferred spot at second base.
LeMahieu ended up playing in seven seasons with the Yankees and batting .278 in pinstripes.
He did have his magnificent, COVID-shortened .364 average in 2020, after hitting .327 with 26 homers in 2019 in his first season in the Bronx.
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It was all downhill from there as LeMahieu aged, though.
He actually had been fine this season, with a .266 average, but because he didn’t have a great defensive spot to play, he became expendable.
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The Yankees couldn’t use LeMahieu at third, and so Chisholm moves back while New York likely seeks to solve the hot corner at the trade deadline.
If LeMahieu chooses free agency, it’ll be interesting to see if any contenders want him. He can still put the bat to the ball.
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