Infielder DJ LeMahieu A Free Agent, The Toronto Blue Jays Still In The Running To Sign Him

By Jordan Long

There are a few names left in MLB Free agency.  One of the best hitters in the league is still out there, DJ LeMahieu.  He has gained interest from the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.  The New York Yankees are still in play for him.

                LeMahieu will help any of these teams with his offense.    In a shortened season,  LeMahieu hit .364, the highest batting average of his career.  LeMahieu drove in 27 runs.  He showed he could hit the long ball with 10 home runs.  Besides his ability to drive the ball over the wall, LeMahieu smacked 10 doubles and 2 triples to be in scoring position for his teammates.

                It isn’t just his offense franchises would want, but LeMahieu is one of the best infielders in the game.  He can be placed at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base.  His natural position is 2nd base.  LeMahieu starts double plays and throws the ball to 1st or 2nd base depending on where the runner is to throw him out. Last season in 37 games, LeMahieu made 4 errors.  LeMahieu was involved in 19 double plays and 82 infield assists at the position.   He didn’t take home a Gold Glove for his work but has won 3 before.

The Toronto Blue Jays could use a player like him.  According to bleacherreport.com, Toronto Blue Jays’ shortstop Bo Bichette appeared on Ross Stripling’s “Big Swing” podcast and was excited about the possibility of LeMahieu joining the team. Bichette said,  “He’s probably the No. 1 player I’d want to play with in the league. If that would happen, that would be awesome for us, but either way, man, our team’s pretty good already.”

                The Blue Jays seem to be a fit.  They need another hitter in the lineup.  He could be the answer.  They know what he can do in the infield since they are in the New York Yankees division.

                The biggest difficulty in signing him is the amount of money LeMahieu may want.  He is seeking a 5-year deal but the financial terms of what he is requesting haven’t been announced.  He is coming off a 2-year deal where he made $12 million a year in New York.  It could be LeMahieu intends to be the 2^nd highest paid 2^nd baseman in the league.  It would have to be more than the $14 million Jean Segura is making.  Teams are going to have to decide if he is worth that amount of money.                

LeMahieu will be in baseball this upcoming season.  It’s just a matter of which team signs him.  Hopefully in the next few weeks, he has his answer.