The Evil Empire seems to be forever inching closer to number 28, and re-signing their all-star second baseman, DJ LaMahieu, ensures that ring doesn’t fall out of reach.
According to Vegas, the odds of the Bronx Bombers winning it all are getting better every year. They decreased from 9-1 in 2018, to 6-1 in 2019, and were 7-2 last year. Yet, it’s been decades since the Yankees had a Fall Classic appearance to their name.
Staying in Vegas’ good graces may not be of concern to the Yankees, but having a roster with the ability to not only compete but win it all in 2021, certainly is. Undoubtedly, the organization’s ability to do so hinges on re-signing LaMahieu during this offseason.
LaMahieu Brings to the Table what the Yankees Lack
You probably don’t need me to tell you how good DJ LaMahieu is at baseball, but I’m going to anyways.
For seven seasons, LaMahieu was tremendously successful as a Colorado Rockie. During that time, LaMahieu racked up numerous accolades for his play on both offense and defense. Among the most impressive: three Defensive Player of the Year awards, three Golden Gloves, two All-Star game selections and an NL Batting Title.
Nonetheless, concerns were raised when DJ was signed by the Yankees. Were his successes with the Rockies a function of playing in Colorado? Does he have what it takes to make it in the Big Apple?
LaMahieu shut his doubters right up.
Re-signing LaMahieu ensures there are many more, of each, to come.
In 2020 (albeit a shortened and strange season) LaMahieu improved upon an incredible 2019 campaign, continuing to prove that his successes at Coors Field in Colorado were no fluke. From 2019 to 2020, LaMahieu’s batting average rose from .327 to .364, and his on-base percentage rose from .375 to .421. In 2019 he finished fourth in MVP voting, in 2020, he finished third.
Perhaps most impressive, by winning the 2020 AL Batting Title, DJ became the first player in the modern era to win a batting title in both leagues.
DJ LaMahieu: Offensive Machine
LaMahieu’s prolific production at the plate has rightly earned him the nickname ‘The Machine,’ and this machine is an integral part of the Yankees’ potent offense.
I think if you take a snapshot of the last two years, you can probably count on one hand how many players have been as good as DJ LeMahieu and how important they’ve been to their team.
Aaron Boone, Yankee’s manager, per Yesnetwork.com
If there’s one thing the Yankees have no shortage of, it’s power-hitters, and LaMahieu is the perfect fit between those throughout the Yankees lineup. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, and Luke Voit all have the ability to hit the ball out of the park at will, but none possess the composure and consistency that LaMahieu brings to each and every at-bat.
Almost every time DJ steps up to the plate, he seems to outwork the pitcher. He is able to work deep counts, make solid contact, and find gaps in the infield unlike anyone else in the Yankees lineup, and perhaps Major League Baseball as a whole.
“DJ is the freaking best hitter I’ve ever played with, and he continues to keep raking.”
Luke Voit, Yankee’s first baseman, per MLB. com
LaMahieu’s presence in the lineup alone must cause headaches for opposing managers. You’re much less likely to walk Judge or Stanton when the guy in the box is as effective at putting the ball in play as DJ is. This is one reason why re-signing LaMahieu will have extensive implications for the franchise for years to come.
DJ LaMahieu: Defensive Stalwart
LaMahieu’s defensive abilities aren’t a footnote either.
With multiple golden-gloves to his name, LaMahieu can be slotted anywhere across the infield with confidence. Across the 47 regular-season games he competed in during 2020, LaMahieu spent time at first base, second base, and third base.
When it comes to WAR (wins above replacement), LaMahieu led the Evil Empire with a score of 2.9. That mark was good enough to tie DJ for fourth place in the league. The next best Yank? Gerrit Cole, with a score of 2.2.
Where Contract Talks Stand, as of Now
The Yankees and LaMahieu are more than $25 million apart in contract talks according to a report released earlier this week by Bleacher Report. To anyone but the Yankees, that’s probably a lot of money, but we’re talking about the Evil Empire here.
The Yankees skipper had this to say about the importance of keeping LaMahieu in pinstripes, per the New York Post.
It’s no secret he is probably our number one priority to bring back this winter. I know Cashman is working on that … hopefully, at the end of all this, DJ is a Yankee for a very long time.
Aaron Boone
After his stellar work at the plate during 2020, the 32-year-old is surely fielding offers from a host of teams across the league. It has been reported that among those teams with serious interest are the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.
A Path Forward for Re-Signing LaMahieu
LaMahieu, reportedly, is hoping to sign a long-term contract at around five years worth a total north of $100 million. It remains to be seen whether or not any of these teams are prepared to offer a deal along those lines.
With that being said, it’s plausible that Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees front office are waiting to see if such an offer is made by another franchise. It’s conceivable that if an organization does the big bad Yankees will step in and match the offer it ensures LaMahieu is in pinstripes for 2021 and beyond.
If I was the one calling the shots, though, would I really want to wait and let it get to that point?
Re-Signing LaMahieu Keeps the Evil Empire Evil
LaMahieu, in the past, has made it clear that he wants to stay in New York (don’t be silly, I’m not talking about the Mets). Prior to the beginning of the 2020 season, LaMahieu had told reporters that he “loved to be [in New York],” and that the Jose Altuve home-run which sent the Yankees packing back in the 2019 American League Championship Series made him all the more “excited to be starting spring training again [in 2020].”
In the bottom half of the inning, Jose Altuve’s home-run sent the Astros on to the World Series.
Hopefully, the Yankees loss in game five against the Rays in the 2020 ALDS had a similar effect.
There’s good reason to believe that it did, and there’s good reason to believe that this whole mess will get sorted out and LaMahieu will still be in the Bronx next season. My confidence stems from what Michael Kay had to say on YES Network earlier this week:
.@RealMichaelKay: There’s no way the Yankees don’t sign DJ LeMahieu. pic.twitter.com/rRNukeupxv
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 15, 2020
According to Michael Kay, “There’s no way [the Yankees] don’t sign [DJ].” Kay goes on to state that in his 35 years around the organization, he has never seen the Yankees as “publicly effusive about a player” they were unable to re-sign.
If there’s one person who undoubtedly knows what he is talking about it’s, Michael Kay. So thank you, Michael, it’s videos like this that help me sleep at night.
If Kay says it’s going to happen, who am I to say differently?
Re-Signing LaMahieu, Cashman’s Ultimate Triumph
Let’s give credit where credit is due, and Cashman undoubtedly deserves some credit.
Over the past few seasons, general manager, Brian Cashman has brought in no shortage of talent. He’s signed established guys like LaMahieu, but hasn’t been afraid to take a chance on undervalued ball-players Luke Voit and Gio Urshella. Add in some great draft picks and big free-agent signings, and you can begin to see how Cashman’s endeavors have put the Evil Empire in a prime position to be title contenders for a long time.
But what’s the point of all this work, of turning good players into elite franchise cornerstones, if you won’t shell out the cash to keep them in pinstripes? The Yankees need to do whatever is necessary to strike a deal with DJ, and they should be approaching the negotiations like the future of the franchise depends upon it.
It just might.
Should the Yankees go all-in on DJ, and is LaMahieu worth the cash he’s asking for? Let me know what you think in the comments section, and be sure to check out the Belly Up page for additional content.
