DJ LeMahieu A Free Agent After Declining The New York Yankees Qualifying Offer

By Jordan Long

DJ LeMahieu declined the New York Yankees’ qualifying offer.    This means he is a free agent for the 1^st time in 3 years.  LeMahieu might be the best 2^nd baseman in free agency.

                LeMahieu joined the New York Yankees after spending 7 years with the Colorado Rockies.  Colorado had hopes of keeping LeMahieu after the 2018 season, but they were unwilling to pay him the money LeMahieu thought he deserved.  LeMahieu agreed to a 2-year, $24 million contract with the Yankees.

                In New York, LeMahieu became one of the top hitting infielders in the league.  He was 4^th in batting average in 2019, hitting .327.  He didn’t hit with power totaling 26 home runs but LeMahieu was able to bring his teammates in when they were in scoring position with 102 RBI’s.  For his hitting, LeMahieu won the Silver Slugger Award.

                This past year, in a shortened season, LeMahieu was the top hitter in all of baseball with a .364 average.  That won him his first batting title in his career.  He also took home another Silver Slugger Award.       

                Once the season was over, New York was hoping to keep him.  LeMahieu is going to test free agency since he said “no” to the qualifying offer.    This doesn’t mean his days in the “Big Apple” are over.  It is still possible New York agrees to a new deal with him.

                If New York deems he is too expensive, there will be plenty of teams interested in him.   LeMahieu has shown he can be consistent at the plate to be on base as well as score his teammates which would add to the lead.

                Besides his hitting ability, LeMahieu is mostly a 2^nd baseman but can play 1^st and 3^rd base.  He was placed at 1^st base for 11 games last year. LeMahieu didn’t have an error.  LeMahieu appeared at 2^nd base for 37 games his natural position but committed 4 errors, far too many.  When LeMahieu played 3^rd base it was for 11 games and he totaled 2 errors.   

                The Yankees are taking a risk.  LeMahieu will be in high demand.  It may come down to money.  Whichever team can give him the best offer is the one he is going to take.  The Yankees might lose him and if that is the case, they will miss LeMahieu’s production at the plate.