Jan. 14: The Yankees have now announced the deal.
Jan. 11, 7:50pm: The deal promises LeMahieu $12MM in each of its two seasons, Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets.
11:43am: LeMahieu is heading to the Yankees, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. His contract is believed to be a two-year deal with a guarantee in the range of $24MM.
11:40am: The Yankees are closing in on a two-year contract with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu, reports Jack Curry of the YES Network (Twitter links). New York’s plan for LeMahieu is to use him as a multi-positional asset, where he’ll see time at second base, third base and even at first base, per Curry.
With LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki now in the fold, Manny Machado looks to be less of a fit in the Bronx than ever, although the addition of those two players certainly doesn’t preclude a signing. There’s been talk earlier this winter of the possibility that the Yanks could yet move an infielder, and Tulowitzki’s league-minimum salary doesn’t represent much of an impediment if the Yankees decide to alter their course. That said, there’s no denying that today’s agreement with LeMahieu does seem to make that long-speculated match with Machado considerably less plausible.
The Yankees’ infield now likely consists of Miguel Andujar at third base, Tulowitzki at short, Gleyber Torres at second base and Luke Voit at first, with LeMahieu filling in as a versatile super-sub and Greg Bird also on hand as an option at first base. Didi Gregorius, of course, will join that mix later this season when he is sufficiently recovered from Tommy John surgery. It’s a crowded mix but a deep and highly talented one that should provide the Yankees plenty of insurance against injury while also allowing them to field a strong lineup even on days when their top bats are resting.
LeMahieu, 29, is perennially among the game’s premier defensive second baseman and has consistently hit for average, though his overall production has wavered somewhat on a year-over-year basis. LeMahieu won a surprise National League batting title when he hit .348/.416/.495 in a career year back in 2016, but while he followed that up with a high-quality .310 average in 2017, his power fell off, as he slugged just .409 that season and posted a .099 ISO (slugging minus batting average). This past season, most of his pop returned, but his overall output checked in at .276/.321/.428 — rather pedestrian production when considering his hitter-friendly home setting (86 wRC+).
All in all, LeMahieu generally rates as an average or better overall hitter with premium defensive skills. He’s batted a combined .309/.369/.429 across the past four seasons and been one of the toughest strikeouts in the league over that span, punching out in just 14.2 percent of his plate appearances. And while some will make a point to note that his home/road splits are rather pronounced, he’ll be moving from Coors Field to yet another one of the game’s premier hitters’ parks, Yankee Stadium.
No machado
Wow, didn’t see this. Machado isn’t worth the difference in cost between him and Andujar. Can’t say I ever really wanted him. There are other big names free in next few years
You are right. Didn’t see it coming either. Machado and Harper are not Mantle or Mays. But Harper’s LH bat would play, but not on a ten year contract.
Not sure what the Yanks are doing here. LaMahieu is a decent player, but hasn’t even been league average over the last 2 seasons. He also is lacking the “Coors Field numbers” that one would expect to see. 30 years old, career OPS+ of 92!?? Yankees went cheap here. Not sure why.
They went cheap because they dont need offense. They needed to spend big on pitching (which they havent really done either)
That’s true about their offense. And I’m not even sold on the Paxton move, either. They have been very confusing. They have sat on the sidelines while the likes of Sale, Verlander, Cole and Quintana(and others) have been moved. I know they went after Sonny Gray, but they really needed an ace. I’m not understanding their plan lately.
“Machado is just another Sonny Gray anyways”
I’m understanding one thing. They’re a better team than last year’s 100 win squad and the Red Sox are not. That’s the plan.
“We never wanted dat BUM Machado anyway”
The Yankees look a little better, for sure. At the moment, the Red Sox have only lost Joe Kelly, right? They’ve picked up a full season of Eovaldi instead. If Kimbrel walks, they will be missing a big piece. Otherwise they don’t seem “worse” to me?
+Bernie
I agree that they to spend on more on SP. Paxton might not be enough and they let viable options pass them by (Kikuchi, Corbin). However it is a good thing they arent whipping out the blank checks for hitting, they have enough of that already.
Well, he wasn’t saying the Sox have gotten worse, just that the Yanks have improved and the Sox have not, which is essentially true. The Sox have basically stayed course so far – losing Kelly isn’t a huge concern. They do need to resolve the bullpen, though.
Also, LeMahieu may have been slightly under average offensively, but he’s absolutely been one of the best defensive players, not only at his position but in total. I’m a Sox fan and I think it’s quite a good signing – he’ll do fine on the offensive side of things in Yankee Stadium.
Also, if a full season of Eovaldi is “improving” than the Yankees getting full seasons from Happ and Britton are also an improvement.
Worse than Sonny Gray. Sonny is not a good fit in NY but Machado would have cost you 30 million and 7 to 10 years. You avoided the plague!
@Matthew I’ll agree with that, but Britton essentially replaces Robertson on this year’s squad. LeMahieu is a nice upgrade over Walker(but nothing crazy). Happ and Paxton are definitely nice upgrades over Gray and The 5th starter slot in 2018. Plus Stanton should be better. I just figured Machado to the Yankees was a given. It was written in stone years ago.
Yankees keep signing P older than 32 so the DL list will be long this upcoming season. Cashman keeps focusing on adding hitting when they need young SP. He hoards prospects that can be used for P but he too scared to pull the trigger. Last World Series in 2009 Boston has won 4 since 2004. Dave D came in traded prospects got Pitchers and then won a World Series. Cashman has been there too long and is too comfortable with his 5 rings. You need a GM that hasn’t won and is motivated to do so. Cashman is the problem.
Your confused? Yanks resigned Britton , who had a 1.02era the last 17outings for the yanks, and looked to get better the more he got back from his injury, and they resigned Happ who was 7-0 sub 3era with the yanks, and they traded for Paxton who has ace stuff and always been a sub 4era guy with high strikeout totals and now they add a guy who’s a beast defender, almost always hits for a high avg and don’t K a lot, which is kinda exactly what the yanks needed in there lineup , and of course bringing CC and Gardy back was solid ,as CC as ur 5th starter is pretty rock solid, as hes been sub 4era last 3seasons, and Gardy gives us a lefty bat, who still has a little pop,and still has some speed, can play CF still in a pinch, and sees a ton of pitches and both are, great clubhouse guys. Yanks rocked this off-season imo.
Only thing I didn’t care for was not resigning DRob. Could care less about not sigmomg Harper or Machado to 10yr 400mill dollar deals or whatever. No thanks
The team that lost to the Red Sox had Robertson and Britton. Resigning Britton while losing Robertson bmakes us worse not better. And if Paxton isn’t healthy come playoff time then that move didn’t make us better even if he pitches well in the regular season. We won 100 games despite having Gray, CC, Germain, Cessa as 4th and 5th starters.
What we need to improve on is with the playoffs in mind. Getting a legit ace would have done that. Getting a left handed bat would have done that. Having a legit hitting SS would have done that, although hopefully Didi will be back by then
They could still get Quintana, all they have to do is give Cubs back Torres lol
Agreed on Cashman. Totally overrated GM. Made his name on Stick Michael’s moves and hasn’t been the same since getting Arod. They had the 1sr or 2nd highest payroll for 15+ years and won once. Red Sox had the highest payroll once and won it all. Cashman was basically on cruise control from 2005-2015. He’s built a nice core, but hasn’t added the final piece yet. 10 years since a World Series for the Yanks. It’s time to be more aggressive.
Happ was a no-brainer. That made a lot of sense. Britton essentially replaces Robertson. That one looks like a wash. Both CC and Gardner should have been sent packing, though. You don’t sign guys to be “clubhouse guys”. Neither brings much to the table anymore and that money could have been better allocated elsewhere. LeMahieu is a decent player. But he hasn’t even been replacement level the last 2 years and put up underwhelming numbers in Coors Field. They just seem to be treading water. What they need is an ace pitcher for the playoffs. Maybe the plan is to get Bumgarner at the deadline. If not, I am definitely confused.
Lemahieu “hasn’t even been a replacement level player the last 2 years”? What stats are you looking at? 2018 stats would’ve put him 3rd on the Yankees in hitting (hits and AVG – less skewed than power numbers) and 2017 would’ve put him as the best hitter on the Yankees (again, hits and AVG). He’s also won a Gold Glove at 2nd each of the last 2 years. The last Yankee infielder to win a Gold Glove was Cano in 2012. The Yankees may not need Lemahieu (which still baffles me why he signed to be a super-utility), but you can’t argue he’s been below replacement level. If any category, he’s well above league average for 2Bs.
They will have Britton all year, and Happ. The Yankees were 8 games behind the Red Sox. The Yankees being that far resulted due to losses to Baltimore WITH Manny Machado.
Even if we assume each team is identical, the Yankees will not be terrible against Baltimore as they were last year. So if we want to speculate I am speculating the Yankees can win 108+. So tell me where the Red Sux will improve on 108 wins, minus, a closer right now?
RIGHT NOW, the Yankees have improved far more than the Red Sux, and they aren’t done. I would expect another reliever, possibly Ottovino.
*WORLD CHAMPION Red Sux. Show a little respect.
Eovaldi isn’t repeating his 2018
Happ was a mistake based on his peripherals and projections.
Full season of Eovaldi? Ha! He’ll be lucky to make it until June.
I think Eovaldi might end up being the closer. They aren’t going to overwork him this year.
Easy, slick… the Yanks have just shored up any defensive holes in their infield in the event of an injury. And, they did it without overspending on the likes of Machado who would have hurry their chances of digging into their pockets fur a quality SP. Teams are still wheeling and dealing. Let’s see what happens.
And benji-saving resources for Bryce! All good.
Eovalfi had a great postseason but so did Billy Hatcher. The guy was 3-3 with a meh era. Slow down there he’s still Eovaldi.
Bryce is the better long term fit for the Yanks
Harper is the LF heir apparent to Gardner
If they sign Bryce; still have to extend Hicks, (we’re spoiled to witness those 105mph throws Hicks’ laser throwing runners out from CF, mike
Hasn’t even been average? That is laughable have you saw his stats or his defensive metrics. Being away from coors isn’t going to hurt him he’s not a power bat he’s an on base. And he is easily the Yankees best defensive infielder now. With didi injured
In the last 2 years LeMahieu has had a WAR just under 6 and in the last 3 years over 11. but your right not even a replacement level player. Interesting thought. Next time try using facts
Happy literally out preforms his projections every year but ok
DJ had +18 DRS and +11 UZR in 2018.
Let me translate that for you:
Best defensive 2B on the planet!! signed 2 yrs, through his age-31 season. Best “stop-gap”
Yea hit at Coors, but career .298BA .350 OBP mitigates it overall.
Bonus: Makes Machado signing less likely!!!
Hal, if you pull off Bryce this Winter, Yankee fans don’t deserve you as owner
Agree on all
OPS+ the last 2 years is 91. Neil Walker’s OPS+ the last 2 years is 97. Sorry, but signing a glove-first 2B to bat 8th is nothing to get excited about(especially when the Yankees were the team that was going to sign Machado for YEARS). THOSE are the facts.
Happ is a nice pitcher, and he certainly earned his new contract. But he’s not the guy you can ride in the playoffs. He’s also 36 years old now. The Yankees seem to be loading up on “pretty good/affordable” players.
Dumb comment, as xabial
Since becoming regular in ‘13, DJ ranks as top MLB second basemen Defensive Runs Saved (plus 58) — 15th amongst all active players — Career: .298 BA, .350 OBP. won 16 NL BA title
Ground-ball rates consistently top 50 percent; limit his power, despite showing that ability.
DJ rarely pulls; hits up the middle or opposite (75 percent) almost more than every regular.
Translation: DJ is shift-proof.!! You cant shift. Craziest hitters’ spray chart, think will ever see
Why do I think DJ hits in Yankee Pinstripes?
DJ makes hard contact on balls hit. Statcast™ shows DJ makes a lot hard contact —defined “batted balls with exit velocity at least 95 mph” — 645 batted balls in play over past 3 seasons, rank fourth behind Machado, Betts and Yelich.
Source: https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-add-infielder-dj-lemahieu/c-302615720
No thanks Cubs will keep World Series championship. Lol.
If you think Happ is going to have a sub-3.00 ERA in a full season in New York, you’re crazy. His FIP has always been in the high 3’s and 4’s.
Gardy is still an elite outfield defender and baserunner. Good move to bring him back.
Lowrie >>> LeMahieu
I actually think Dozier might have been better, as well.
.322OBP on Gardner with an OPS+ of 86. You guys can have him. Gardner is done.
Yes, 34 y.o Lowrie, entering age 35-36 season is better than 30 y.o. DJ, entering age 30-31
Now you’re just talking nonsense.
And, yet, you have no trouble with he signing of the 36yo Happ. Lowrie was almost a 5 win player last year in one of the worst ballparks for hitters. His OPS+ the last 2 years is 120. Meanwhile, LeMahieu was not even replacement level over that same timeframe. You can have DJ. I’m not even sure he’s an upgrade over Neil Walker.
Agreed! Yanks have improved significantly, Red Sox have not. Also, Red Sox season went about as perfectly as possible last year, and the Yankees had quite a few significant injuries. I am biased, but I love the Yankees chances at winning the division this year.
The Yankees minus Didi for an undetermined amount of time also minus Drob. They added Paxton and Lemahieu. They didn’t make groundbreaking additions this offseason.
x, by your logic Lance Lynn would’ve been a better signing than Ja HAPP. Both Lowrie andHapp outperformed their younger counterparts. No reason to believe DJ lemahieu is going to get significantly better at the dish leaving Colorado.
Bernie and Begamin
I have a big smile on my face because you have both just quoted the MLB crew this morning, especially, Kenny Rosenthal
@videotape, Do you mean that those guys were quoting ME? On which topic, btw?
I heard about it a while back on ESPN. They were saying not to sign either of them and wait for Nolan. Genius.
Hey Bernie,
Yes, lol, they quoted you regarding none of them really know what the heck Cashman was doing, well none of us do.
I am a Yankee Fanatic for decades and sometimes I don’t
get why sometimes Cashman does what he does.
I think I have upvoted everything you posted, love them.
lol Vincent
Don’t pick on Cashman. He doesn’t have permission to spend 30 – 40 million on a player, Hal Steinbrenner does. He is doing great based on what he is allowed to spend. Yanks may wait till trade deadline to see what they can add if needed. We are better then last year and Didi and Montgomery will be back this summer at some point. Be patient and see how it goes. Think how much better last year would have been if they had a better start to the season. They would have had a better record the Boston. Plus all the injuries made it tough to compete with Boston. We are better and I know Cashman will come through and so will Yanks.
@videotape. Thank you, sir. Objective Yankees fans are in short supply around here. Most of them downvote anything even remotely critical of Cashman and believe he can do no wrong. I’m going to be keeping my eye on you!
You avoided the plague. Machado is a cancer and doesn’t respect the game. Once he gets his contract, he will just go out and do what he wants and throw temper tantrums. Any team who gets him, will be sorry. Maybe not right away but if he signs a 7-10 year deal, by year 3 if he hasn’t won a WS, he will start being a cancer. Harper is the better bet. He’s a baseball player and a tough minded, gym rat, highly motivated, good teammate kind of guy.
Dkaner…Are you saying Harper doesn’t throw tantrums or ever dog it to 1B?
If so you are very, very wrong.
Cashman is full of surprises and may not be done yet. Even if any of you are super pro Manny Machado or Yankees off season a disaster I truly understand your disappointment if it does not happen. I really like Manny too. There are 2 things that bother me the most about it.
First . I am in the love Andujar crowd I won’t change from this view. This kid is going to get better, he many never reach Manny proportions but you don’t know this absolutely know for sure he won’t be a decent defensive 3rd baseman.. He is too much of a hard worker to not succeed. There is not a starting pitcher in MLB worth the risk of trading him for. Any of their arms can go. There are no guarantee it won’t happen. Trade as many top 30’s you have in the farm system including Florial for an Ace Pitcher because none of them are for sure can’t miss prospects.
For many of us who love Andujar who perhaps those of you who don’t the closest I could come how it would feel to you is if Yankees were going to sign Harper or Trout but say in the process you had to trade Judge off in order to do it. You wouldn’t like it either.
Secondly the issue is locking up the roster long term. Hey it’s fine if they go over the luxury tax that’s no problem for 2 or 3 years but to do it for many years does become a problem as every team in MLB want to get under it. You would only be angry later on when for example Yankees have to let Hicks, Didi or Bestances go because they can’t afford to sign them. Or the Yankees are out on next years free agent class or eventually if when it happens if Trout reaches free agency.
I appreciate Machado I would had loved him on the Yankees as much as any of you pro Manny or bust fans. I would love to add Harper right on top of it too but I have to trust Cashman that the Yankees know what they are doing for the good of the team in the long run. Certainly they must know better then we do.. I am sure Cashman would love to add both Machado Harper too but they just may not be a fit. If that’s the case we are going to have to live with it.
Good points. Let’s also not forget that the likes of Judge, Sanchez and Severino are about to get EXPENSIVE. Then Andujar and Torres will be expensive a couple years after that. The Yankees have to balance their free agent consumption with that reality.
Machado doesn’t play 2B and Tulowitzki is just a backup SS at this point in his career. I do not see how either signing affects the Yankees interest in Machado. I’m not saying the Yankees plan to sign him, just that neither of those signings will affect their interest in him.
Torres plays short with LeMahieu at the keystone
DJ has played 95% of his games at 2B and I can’t see Cashman committing that much money for him to be a super utility guy. Torres was our 2B last year. My guess is that DJ will move Torress to SS or 3B. What that means for Manny or Andujar is up in the air. This is a bit of a shocker.
Is it possible they may try either Tulowitzki or Andujar in other IF positions? I know Tulo has stated he would be willing to play diff positions
Tulo based his final decision on the Yankees promising SS to him with Didi out, so I can see him throwing a fit.
More likely that DJ LeMahieu moves to third base and Andujar to DH. That gives the Yankees a better defense, especially if Didi comes back.
I hear you, but Yankees outfield is packed. Signing someone on this possibility seems dangerous
Andujar as DH? So they can bench Stanton. ?
As a Yankees fan, I completely agree. For the author to even suggest that the Yankees are giving $24 million over two seasons to DJ Lemahieu to stash him on the bench in a Ronald Torreyes type role is preposterous, especially when Cashman had Ronald Torreyes on the roster 6 weeks ago for a fraction of that cost, and just signed Tulo for the veteran minimum.
If anyone comes off the bench, it’s going to be Tulo. That would mean Torres slides over to his natural position and Lemahieu takes over the starting job at 2b, and the only way we get Machado now is if he agrees to 1) take less money) and 2) play 3b, which he doesn’t want to do. The latter means trading Andujar for a starter, unfortunately.
This deal makes no sense to me, though, when we’re in desperate need of a left-handed bat and Daniel Murphy could have been signed 6 weeks ago for basically the same amount of money, and his bat would play up in Yankee Stadium.
I like Daniel Murphy, too, but he can’t seem to stay on the field anymore.
No, it was because they offered him a no trade clause
They will either trade didi while still hurt or let him walk. Torres is better fit at short anyway. Tulo is getting the minimum so cutting him does nothing. They are like the Cubs now way too many infielders. Yankees will trade didi, voit andujar and probably bird..
Yes the Yankee should trade four of their infielders and rely heavily on Tulo. Makes sense.
As a Rays fan, I like the idea of the Yankees paying $12mm/year to put a 30 year old glove only 2B at 3B. I definitely like it better than using their financial might and adding a 26 year old, middle of the order, above average defensive 3B to their core for the next decade. Thank you Cashman.
But in a few years, doesn’t Machado become that same 30yo glove? Then they pay 30+ mil for an aging ex-elite player. As a Rays fan though, you’d probably like that as well!
Agree w Torres to 3rd…and trading andujar..goes from below avg in to very good when dd returns
Respect your opinion but that is not going to happen. The greatest odds are going to be Torres stays at 2nd unless Tulo flops or is hurt which they move Torres to SS till Didi comes back, and Andujar is going to stay put right at 3rd base. No way Torres gets moved to 3rd base
Tulo was a great low buy high rewards if he works out above expectations then was a steal for NY …if not they will merely ask him to go in a trade with his approval or merely DFA him because he can’t be traded without permission which in turn Yankees would be out very little in the scheme of things at his salary.
In 5 years he likely becomes a 30 year old, slightly below average defensive 3B who is still an above average hitter and player. He probably stops being an above average player and becomes an average type by like year 8 or 9 of his contract. At that point, the Yankees figure out how to overcome the problem. Much like they have in the past with players such as Ellsbury, ARod, Jeter, etc.. Just like they will have to do with Stanton, Judge, Torres and Severino if they decide to keep them long term.
If Yankee fans think their team is better over the next several seasons by saving money and adding 2.5 win players instead of 6 win players because what might happen 7, 8 or 9 years down the road, I’m in support as a fan of a rival club. Trust me, I hope the Yankees don’t improve dramatically because that leaves the door open for the Rays to steal a few more division titles and playoff berths like they did 08-13.
The Yankees have signed a 2B, a SS, and a reliever all for less a year than what it would have cost to pay Manny for a year. Plus they aren’t stuck with a long term contract.
Not saying the Yanks can’t still afford to sign Manny, or that the three players are collectively more valuable than Machado. Rather just pointing out it seems like a prudent move by NY.
What I wrote yesterday (and was attacked by Yankee trolls) after the Mets signed Lowrie…….
With ML teams counting pitches and now needing 12-13 spots on the 25 man roster for pitchers, teams need starters that can play multiple positions. They’re resting starters and sitting them down for a few days with minor injuries – hoping to avoid something major developing.
MLB has changed. Depth Charts are obsolete. Teams have to maximize all position players on the roster.
As for the DH – AL teams that sign a player to only do that are literally wasting a roster spot. It’s best used to rotate players into for short rests from playing the field, slowly coming back from injury rehab, and simply keeping all bench players tuned by seeing live pitching and retaining their timing.
Lowrie gets 2/$20m. Dozier gets 1/$9M. LaMahieu gets 2/$24m. Meanwhile, Pedroia makes 40m over the next 3 years. SMDH.
@ CursedRangers;
Correct!
I’ve gotten voted down for almost 3 months pointing out that it makes no sense at all to pay Machado $30m a year because his defense @ 3B is better than Andujar’s. That’s just nuts. If a 3B sees even 7 balls hit to him in a 9 inning game that are playable, that’s a lot.
Good to see the Yankees getting with the times.
Your point? Pedroia was an ELITE level 2b before he got hurt! These guys are solid major leaguers, but nowhere being at the level of Pedroia! Injuries happen. Just think what the Yankees are paying Ellsbury. It is a luxury big market teams can take.
@ Bernie’s Dander;
If da Yankees didn’t overpay, they wouldn’t be da Yankees.
lol
The guy we need to watch is Marwin Gonzalez. Scott Boras wants more then that for him. The Astros were right to let him go. In actuality, the guy is not that good a hitter or fielder. Lowrie, LaMahieu, and Chris Owings are better than him. Marlins might be able to do something with Rosell Herrera – a SH with speed that is a legitimate SS/CF and and play all other INF and OF positions. Adeiny Hechavarria can be used that way for a reasonable salary as well. Maybe Jose Iglesias, but he’s a superior defensive SS and a bit pricey to play elsewhere.
Guys that can play all over did not start with Zobrist or Phillips. I first ran into it when the Red Sox used Dick Williams that way. (He later went into the HOF as a manager.) That stuff comes and goes. But with Pitchers eating up so many roster spots now, this breakthrough was only a matter of time.
Nope. Pedroia hasn’t been elite in a long time. That was an awful contract the moment it was signed. Another beauty from Cherington. This hurts even more when you see what solid players are going for now. Pedroia is owed $15m in 2019!
Yup. Marwin is the right guy at the right time. He’s a flexible player at a time when everyone wants guys exactly like that. Boras probably thinks he can wait out the market and find him a good home. And he’s probably right. I just don’t think he’s getting more than $8-10m/year.
I’m a Yankees fan. And he’s the face of the franchise besides big papi in the last decades. He’s got what, 4 World Series? He might not of been there in 04. I’m getting old now. Haha. But he deserves the rest of his contract, from a Yankees fan. Boston sports hater! Let’s go yanks, bills, Sabres!
He was there for 3 of them(not 2004). And you are right that he’s a fan favorite(even if Mookie has passed him in popularity), but that 7 year deal was just awful.
Meanwhile, the fact that Yankees’ fans respect Pedroia now(you aren’t the only one I’ve encountered) is a plot twist that I never expected. He used to get more hate than anyone on the team.
Cuz he never played, Yankee fans forgot about 2018 CHAMP (3X WS champ) Dustin Pedroia
As a Yankee fan, I always respected the fact he was able to exceed, despite his 5’9 frame.
He’s 5’9, but his accomplishment prove height doesnt make a player. In a sense, Pedroia was Altuve, before Altuve haha. Personally I view Pedroia as the Boston version of Derek Jeter,
Agreed.
There are so many examples of how Pedi is SO NOT in the same class as Jeter.
You are welcome to your opinion on Marwin Gonzalez but here is the big fact you are missing on Marwin. His versatility makes him very valuable. You may be 100% correct he isn’t the best fielder out there, he isn’t the best hitter out there, but he is a decent fielder everywhere, he is a decent hitter and would be very attractive piece with the Yankee’s roster here’s why:
The Yankees are getting away with cheap salaries on a number of starting positions which allows them to acquire the best of or higher paid utility players to mix match plus left right batting situations.
They are paying peanuts in salary to quite a few starting players who range from very good if not future or almost future superstars in Judge, Sanchez Andujar Torres Voit Hicks Didi This affords them the opportunity to spend much more money on utility type players where most teams spend very little. who may cost more but are better then anyone else’s utility players. This makes the Yankees very versatile and a balanced roster for some time.
Gracias a dios no Manny
It means it’s time for LEFTY Harper, get it?
Harper has AT LEAST 10yr/$300m+ offered by the Nats. The Phillies might be offering more than that. The Yankees already have Stanton for 10 years. Do you really think they are going to outbid everyone else for another 10+ year deal?
It means it’s time for LEFTY Harper, get it?
The so-called a secret team means unknown to the experts. Yankees always surprised me. Once again Harper would set the records straight. We need to win this year and getting back to bloody socks!
Lining up Nolan for next year. I like it!!!!!
After “lining up” Machado for 2-3 years, right?
I heard about it a while back on ESPN. They were saying not to sign either of them and wait for Nolan. Genius.
That’s right, he’s no Machado. He is a well behaved professional and because of that he will get us a ring.
Good behavior>talent.
WS Champs 2019 (will not be the yankees) – You heard it here first.
Whaaaaa ? !!!!!! As for being out on machado he plays multiple positions doesn’t he ? As such he should still be in play. Rockies fans how is he in the field ? I haven’t seen him play much. He could play first base
Why don’t you just click on the D.J. LeMahieu link and check out his defensive metrics and the three Gold Glove Awards he has earned as the Rockies 2B since 2014?
I don’t like defensive metrics as they aren’t proven to be accurate. I use the eye test
Not a Rockies guy but from what I’ve seen (more than just highlights), he is a very very good defender. Great reaction, smart decision maker and with his 6’4 frame, covers a lot of ground.
Lmao
Get new glasses then, this guy’s defense is outstanding and is exactly what that infield needed.
yeah, who needs math and science. 1+1=2? so arbitrary.
In the last 2 years LeMahieu has had a WAR just under 6 and in the last 3 years over 11. but your right not even a replacement level player. Interesting thought. Next time try using facts
Well, you can’t go solely by metrics. Jason Heyward’s career WAR is 34.9, Machado’s career war is 33.8. So by metrics, Heyward should get you slightly more wins, no? And it means that he is better? According to Math and Science.
He’s literally the best defensive second baseman on the planet, by many accounts. You could make an argument for a few other guys, but he’s right up there. Multiple gold gloves. The first think you’ll notice about him though is that he has a REALLY unusual batting stroke. Everything goes oppo field.
.229 average on the road with 11 of his 15 home runs. .319 at home with 4 home runs. Jesus his splits are awful!
Rockies hitters’ splits are equally the result of artificially poor numbers on the road as artificially good numbers at home. This is well established. Every Rockies hitter since the humidor was installed has hit as well or better (overall) after leaving Denver as before.
The NL West is a strange, wonderful place
So you’re not concerned? I mean, Judge’s splits were awful last year also, and many lefties generally have better splits in Yankee Stadium, so there’s that.
This signing truly makes me wonder just WTF the Dodgers are doing. They’ve done absolutely nothing. Perhaps the Dodgers are a dark horse in the Machado sweeps. And please don’t tell me they dealt with all the OF loss by not signing Harper
Despite his offensive (lack of) performance, his DEFENSIVE performance was OUTSTANDING.
He is a guy that makes a ton of contact on a team that strikes out too much. Should be a great fit as a utility/every day guy
Orlando Hudson is the best defensive second basemen on the planet
O dog was trash and was glad to see him never signed again
Javier Baez is kinda good
Baez didn’t win the 2B GG, LeMahieu did.
Lol. Not one person would take DJ over Baez.
You do realize that the Gold Glove voting is a joke right? It’s been proven a huge scam many times. I agree that LeMahieu is a great fielder. But please don’t argue he’s better than Baez because he won a silly award that the writer’s give out on name recognition. Jeter won many gold gloves while being one of the worst ss’s in the league. Google about it. It’s pretty crazy what a scam gold gloves are.
I cannot help thinking that why not Murph or Lowry?
I don’t get it??
@bush1…Actually, it’s managers and coaches that vote on the Gold Glove. But, you are right…it’s a huge joke.
Lowry was signed, but other than that, I agree. Wonder if there is an issue with Torres
Name recognition?? Not one person would say DJ is a more know name Baez is one of the most popular players. Also in my opinion I’d take DJ every day of the week of Baez
Totally agree. Heyward is a prime example, WAYYYY overrated. He played RF actually pretty bad last year. I can provide a 30 minute blooper reel of all the plays he messed up, it is such a joke
Then you know NOTHING about Javier Baez if you think LeMahieu is better lol
I don’t know anyone who actually thinks Heyward is good. So I wouldn’t say he’s overrated. As a Cub fan I’ll absolutely admit he sucks.
That’s great and all that you would take D.J. over Baez. That’s not my point at all. I’m simply saying that acting like a player is a great fielder because of gold glove award is a mistake and just inaccurate.
Also, Baez plays lots of shortstop which probably hurt his chances at the award, so he’s not even a good example. My point still stands the award is a joke though.
Agreed. Lowrie would have been CHEAPER and is the better option. LeMahieu IS better than Lowrie on defense, though. Surprised to see the Yankees signing a defensive standout.
Gold Gloves are ABSOLTELY a joke. In addition to the examples you cited, Rafael Palmeiro once won a GG at 1B despite only starting 28 games there.
Seems you can’t please these people I don’t know how many people I hear howling about Voit, Torres Tulo Andujar defensive woes so Cashman adds a glove infielder who can hit and they scream about it. I think the Yankee scouts and talent evaluation team studied what make LeMahieu successful which is quit lifting the ball to the outfield like he has last couple of years but to drive the ball to right (Yankees short porch wall) like he did in 2016 when he won the batting title in the past would bode well in Yankee stadium.
DJ is a solid defender, few better.
Rockies fan here. DJ is one of the best defensive 2Bs in the game. He rarely commits an error and it able to cover a ton of ground being 6’4”. He actually came up through the minors as a SS but ironically moved to 2B because of Tulo. He didn’t have his best year behind the plate in 2018 but he was banged up for the first time in his career. He doesn’t boast much power but carries out quality at-bats and is one of the better opposite field hitters you will find. DJ plays the game the way it ought to be played. We will miss him and I’m confident you won’t be disappointed
I’m confused too. Is he even that much better than Neil Walker? Neither one was league average last season.
15 HR’s is his career high despite playing in Coors Field? Don’t like the move.
He’s an avg. guy, lee the league two years ago. Very good 2 hole hitter.
What stats are you checking last year a 2.2 dWAR and a total 2.9 WAR. How wasn;t he league average Neil Walker on the other hand had a -.1 War.
Could the Yankees get him? Yes, but it doesn’t make sense when you are loading up on other depth pieces. You still have (when all healthy) Andujar, Torres and Didi, now you add DJ and still have Bird on the infield. Eventually you just don’t become stronger when you keep adding those infield pieces when you have other areas the money would be more well spent.
So much for the Dodgers being the favorite for him…
Dont need him. Coors field product with bad numbers on the road and at Dodger stadium. He’ll do fine at Yankee stadium
Yeah, agree with Kenley. This feels good actually he’s not signing with us
Giants fans breathe a sigh of relief as well!
Yay
Didn’t see that coming. This signing all but puts a nail in the coffin of Machado signing.
Not really
Yes really.
DJ plays 2B, 3B, and 1B. With Tulo signed to play SS until Didi returns and having Torres who can play SS, where would Machado fit? Machado doesn’t want to play 3B.
DJ plays second with a small sample of other positions.
for $300 mil + Manny will pitch out the pen if he had to.
I called it! Actually, I didn’t call it but I’m going to pretend that I did to validate myself on the internet and increase my self-esteem. Next, I’ll tell you where Bryce Harper is going to sign after he signs a new contract.
Xabial, is that you?!?!? Lol
Good. Now please stay away from Machado, Cashman
Ditto!!!
Yes, please stay away!! Take the no-hussle attitude to some other team. Machado is a great player, especially as a 3B, but the Yankees don’t need him and don’t need to spend that much when they already have Andujar at 3B for league minimum. Machado would be a pretty dumb idea for Yankees.
huh?
Great Move, wow
Both NY teams are trying to sign all the infielders!
Yanks trying to convince Todd Helton out of retirement in their quest to obtain the entire Rockies infield. Arenado next year.
Yankees looking to reunite with Holliday. Jeff Francis is working on a screwball somewhere….
Cargo is available…
Ian Stewart is probably available for 3B.
I wonder if the Yankees informed Manny Machado and his agent of this impending move? Meanwhile, White Sox and Phillies fans are celebrating!
I’m sure they already know the Yanks are out on Manny
Hope the Sox get him
Like him a lot, but probably the end for machado
The end is but the beginning.
That’s the nail in the coffin for Machado
The nail is but the, uh, … nail puller thingie.
Apparently he plays second third and first base and is a lefty bat
#ninjacashman
Yup, nope, nope.
There’s no way they play him anywhere but second. Why would you sign a multiple gold glove player and then play them out of that position?
Because if Torres ends up being a weak SS and Tulo can play most days, then move Torres to 2B, LeMahieu tp 3B and Andujar to 1B. It’s not ideal but it’s a possibility.
Because Andujar’s glove does not play well at third. Andujar will probably be the primary DH with some time at third base.
Primary DH? So Judge/Stanton are full time outfielders now?
Yankee;
He plays second first, third second, and first last.
he’s a righty.
Yes, he’s a lefty bat, with lots of power, and hits for a low average, and plays 3rs and 1st base. You got it nailed! Well done.
Interested to see how telling his Coors splits end up being
Including his new home park, There are several hitter friendly ballparks in the AL East. He’ll probably do just fine.
You mean the fact he can’t hit at or away from Coors?
Home vs. Away, Career wRC+
96 vs. 81
For all the talk about Tulo being the reason the Yanks wouldn’t get Machado, signing LeMahieu is a more compelling reason they won’t.
Cashman waits for no man, lol, they were never aggressive on him, let him play with his bro in law and friends
Yes, please.
lolol priggs, great reply
“let him play with his bro in law and friends”
He’ll be playing for his mentor and old infield coach as that is where his highest offer will come from.
your 3 downvoters have not been paying attention
Down vote are lick water and a duck’s back to me.
I don’t think hiring Bobby Dickerson, Manny’s infield coach/mentor really moves the needles anymore then the CWS signings do. Manny will sign where the $$$$ is and if all reports are true, that will be Philly.
There is a report out now that Manny’s camp is saying there is a mystery team involved. Who knows
https://sportsnaut.com/2019/01/report-manny-machado-camp-says-mystery-team-pursuing-star/
Yanks were never even in on Manny from the beginning.
Interesting. Him at 2nd. Torres at short until didi returns im assuming. Curious to see what happens after that
Tulo at SS, corrected your spelling.
So where do you see Torres being move to broski?
Tulo will be a utility guy. He’s fragile.
Bye Bye Machado he going White Sox or Phillis…. NY Yankees are out of the Running bid , now that Dj LeMahieu is on board to NY… WOW !!!
That should take them out of the running for Harper or Machado.
Or they wanted harper all along and filling the infield opened the door to get harper…
exactly
yankee fans are so crazy! they not going to sign Harper or Machado…. NO CHANCE! STOP DREAMING… ITS ANNOYING… LMAO
No Manny, maybe the no running it out in playoffs really did matter?
you forgot foot stepping
Machado Phils Harper Nats.
Machado to the WhiteSox
Harper to the Braves 😉
I hope this is true. The Phils are just watching the division get tougher and tougher around them, and they were already behind at the beginning of the offseason. If Harper stays in DC, a Machado signing is an absolute necessity just to try to keep up with the Joneses
If Harper re-ups with the Nats, the Phillies are out of the division race even with Machado.
The Phillies sign both or they need to sell Nola and reboot their eternal rebuild.
oh here we go again with Casey’s Partner and his all-or-nothing garbage. wish this troll would just find a new sport to pretend to understand
Did you ever watch “Falling Skies”? ScottRolen/CP/free_aec reminds me of the character John Pope.
He believes he is smarter than everyone and is always right. He has a seething hatred for those who have what he doesn’t have (i.e. he failed in Hollywood years ago and he has failed as a sports writer). There is only one way to do things….his way, and when it turns out he was wrong he throws a wold class tantrum.
Pope did it with violence, CP uses his computer (although there was a time when he used a pellet gun and later propaganda placed in cereal boxes etc)
Harper to Phils, Machado to Nats, Turner slides to 2B
Harper to Phils, perhaps. Machado to Nats, no chance. The better bet would be the reverse outcome.
What an interesting career he’s had. His one real good season was sandwiched between two mediocre seasons, yet the mediocre ones are the only time hes made the all star team.
How were ’15 and ’17 mediocre seasons?
He was a below average hitter in each of those two seasons despite the high BA.
That’s a pretty silly evaluation. Just say he hit with no power because a .300 + batting average and a OBP of .358 and .374 are far, far, far from below average.
He was a glove first middle infielder though
Park adjusted stats painted him below average in both of those years
I never saw this coming. From what I’ve seen he’s a very good fielder, I guess I’m just wondering how the bat will translate.
That’s what I’m wondering myself. Is this the end of machado Or is andujar getting flipped ?
He’ll play everywhere, or if Tulo sucks or gets hurt he’ll play second and Torres shortstop.
His home/road splits suck, but with the humidor they may matter as much as Judge’s terrible splits last year.
He’s playing 2B, Torres SS, Tulo will be a utility guy
Coors has added so much hits with it’s huge dimensions and elevation. Guys like Cargo have never been able to hit anywhere else for a reason.
All I know is if they do this move which they obviously are and then trade Andujar or Torres I’ll be upset.
DJ in no way is equal to either
Yankee;
A little from column A, a little from column B.
This does not preclude signing Machado. Didi is in the last year of his deal and will miss half the season. The Yanks still need a long term solution at SS if it’s not Torres and Cash apparently doesn’t think Torres is a fit even if fans do.
Andujar will be moved to 1B or DH. We all saw that he cannot play 3B to save his life. His bat is miles ahead of Voit or Bird. One of them will be moved, not Andujar.
Torres goes to SS until Didi returns.
Tulo mans 3B until Didi returns and then becomes a utility guy.
If they had no plans to retain Didi why give him a contract this year when he will be hurt for most if not all.
Do you even pay attention to baseball? LeMahieu won the batting crown in 2017.
Rarely do I ever see someone signed and say that’s really surprising but this seems like it came way outta RF. I guess they’ll go with Torres at SS until Didi is back. I can’t imagine Tulo will be a big factor unless a trade is made.
Exactly.
Tulo flipped before deadline, Didi returns.
Tulo has a no trade clause
… Should have had a no flip clause.
Tulo can still agree to a trade if he likes where he’s going.
The no trade clause works in Tulo’s advantage. The Yanks are on the hook for 555k regardless of whether they play him or cut him. If they cut him, Tulo can sign with anybody who’s willing to pay him, but the Yanks still have to pay him.
Pretty sure that does no trade clause does not apply to the Yankees deal – that was with Toronto which is WHG they are on the hook for all that money.
Tulo has a new no-trade clause with the Yankees. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/yankees-troy-tulowitzki-agree-to-deal.html
Nice pickup!
Smart move. This means no Machado. Gregorious 3B, Torres SS, LeMahieu 2B and they can shift Andujar to 1st.
….
They’re aren’t moving Didi to 3B at all. Especially coming off of TJ surgery. I’m sure the throw from 3B is harder than one from SS.
Perhaps Didi to 1B he could rest that elbow for the rest of the season
It isn’t.
some people are slow.
huh, didn’t even know he was talking to the Yankees let alone that they would want to.
Feels like Machado to the Phillies and Harper to the Dodgers now. White Sox will get someone like Marwin Gonzalez.
Dallas Keuchel?
Its been so hard to figure out where he will land. I can see the Reds, Angels, Padres. Maybe back to the Astros if his market dips a bit.
Per reports, Machado’s preferred destination among his 3 suitors was NY. His least seems to be Philadelphia. If the White Sox come close to matching the dollars in terms of total value or AAV he will be playing on the South Side of Chicago in 2019 and beyond.
you identified the key issue–they will not go 300 million for machado, but the phillies will if they need to
Imo, Marwin only makes sense for the White Sox if they get Machado and miss out on Harper. They could use him in RF but he wouldn’t be a target unless they are pushing to compete, which a Machado signing would indicate.
You could be right. I just feel since they have been so involved in Machado and Harper talks, that if they miss out on both they will overpay to get the next best hitter left on the market, which I believe to be Marwin. There has been no chatter on him so its hard to gauge his possible landing spots.
They aren’t going to get desperate. The only reason they are in on Machado/Harper is because they are 26 year old stars. If they were normal free agents on the wrong side of 30, the Sox wouldn’t be interested yet.
If they don’t land either, they’ll have no problem letting the prospects develop for another year and trying to hit it big in free agency in 2020 when they have a better idea of what their top prospects will be.
Well congratulations Red Sox on another AL east crown. This team as constructed wont be able to contend with them or the Stros in the playoffs.
Unless the yankees magically sign Harper or trade for a Ace (paxton is good but not an Ace) they just dont measure up.
The Sox and Astros have suffered losses this off season without good replacements. Houston if they lose Dallas will have 40% of last year’s rotation gone
Sox have a closer currently in FA – thats about all they lost so far.
Sox still have a better roster top to bottom especially pitching and impact bats. That postseason run shows the Yankees still need clutch hitting and better pitching. Chris sale isnt breaking a sweat over these signings. Betts and JD will face a returning Happ who they dominated in the playoffs and all that changed for the rotation is Paxton coming aboard.
Astros as well. You think Verlander or cole is losing sleep over tulo and Dj? a older gardner? Is Altuve scared to think of an CC on mound for a playoff matchup? No.
Seriously? They won 100 games with a shortened season from Judge an acclamation season for Stanton and a horrendous year from Sanchez. This is how the Dynasty of the ‘90’s were created. Smart pickups of seasoned vets who fit in there roles. Brosius was a weak hitting defensive wiz when we got him, and look how that turned out. They do not have to go for every free agent that’s available. This is why everyone hates the most Yankee fans. Your unrealistic and unreasonable.
And fans us Yankees fans, that remember how the 90’s teams were built, hate. I don’t need an All-star at every position.
100 games sure but what matters most is the postseason. The bengals in the NFL went to the playoffs for years and never sniffed a playoff win. No bengal fans are celebrating those teams now. I saw a team with just better talent in the Sox. They made a big pickup of JD and spent the most amount of payroll and now they have a ring to boost. The yankees are concerned with money and luxury tax and will waste this young core to “just not good enough” you pair a harper or machado with these guys and hunt for a Ace at the trade deadline. Then the sox might actually have to play the wild card for once.
ummm 100 wins last year. Sox have no closer. Astros haven’t effectively replaced McCullers, Keuchel nor Morton. Stopppppppp.
Hey, at least it’s only 2 years. If Machado gets some crazy contract then this isn’t as boner killing as it currently feels. Howevah, if this weekend Machado signs for something like 6/$175 Yanks fans will be disappointed.
I’m just trying to figure out how this all works moving forward. Yes Didi is out till possibly August, but he is a FA next year so maybe this is insurance in case he doesn’t come back for 2020. DJ at 2b and Torres becomes the future SS. Personally I’d like for them to resign Didi (he might be cheaper now coming off TJ to resign) cuz he’s proven to be a good player on both sides of the ball, bats LH, and has flourished in NY where some wet themselves on the big stage. Regardless, DJ makes them better. Hard to dislike adding good players.
“howevah”
is that you, francesa????
ROFLMAO, THE BEST EVER BEG
I guess this means they see Gleyber as the long term option at SS. He didn’t look great at 2nd last year so that will be interesting. Does he play 3rd when Didi is back in the second half? This also all but ends a Tulo comeback in a Yankee uniform. He must have literally not had any major league contract offers from a contender.
Did some research. .
264/.311/.362
That’s LeMahieu’s slash line away from Coors in his career. An 81 wRC+. I do not think he will be an everyday player on the Yankees, and this might not even take them out of the Machado running. I wouldn’t be shocked if they use him in a super utility role this season.
His defense alone makes him an everyday player for pretty much all 30 teams. He will hit at Yankee stadium, he is not going to win any silver slugger awards, but he won’t be a liability either.
Remember DiDi could not hit but had great defence before the Yanks.
From what’s been said, the Yankees do intend to use LeMahieu as a utilityman. He’s got a magnificent glove and is a good contact hitter. But he should not in any way prevent a Machado signing
They don’t and have multiple times argued against Torres at short. Weird situation. Fans love Didi, I can’t say them pulling the trigger on moving him.
My opening day lineup at this time
Hicks
DJ
Judge
Stanton
Sanchez
Andujar
Torres
Voit/bird
Gardner
DJ has a very poor bat. He will be in the 8 or 9 hole. Gold glove defense at the keystone though.
I wouldn’t say he has a very poor bat. He won the batting title in 2016 hitting .348. Hit .310 in 2017. Last year it dipped to .276. He doesn’t strike out like the rest of the lineup
Poor bat?
I’d switch Torres with Lemahieu and move him down to the eight or nine hole.
That’s incredibly right handed
Mine is as follows:
Gardy
Judge
Harper
Sanchez
Andujar
Tulo
Hicks
Torres
Bird
i doubt gardner will start in LF and im sure Voit is likely the 1b.
Agreed, Gardner should be benches and Stanton starting in LF. Allows you to rotate him, Andujar and Sanchez in the DH spot.
I’m surprised Lemahieu was able to pickup both more money and years than Dozier.
I’m not
If Doziers knee didn’t blow up on hin last year he would have for sure got a bigger deal
Yeah, really didn’t see anybody in MLB being super interested in signing a a 2B who can’t hit to a multi-year contract.
Good for LeMahieu, he’s now set. My guess is this is probably his last chance to cash in before he’s scrounging around for MiLB contracts.
I think you’re writing Dozier off pretty quickly. Last year was admitably bad, but he had a nice run of four consecutive strong seasons prior to that. But maybe a one year bounce back deal is all you can expect when coming off a poor season like that.
Really wanted the Dodgers to sign DJ.
Round out the rotation with Keuchel and we’re set.
From your mouth to God’s ears!
Love it. We don’t need power. We need guys who put good at bats together and balls in play.
Yankees infield is set.
So much for landing both Corbin and Machado….
Machado isn’t signing with NY. Guaranteeing that with this move.
Machado to W/sox, and Harper to Philly now.
Enjoy watching Tatis Jr. in SD.
You stole him.
I hope Machodo likes cheesesteak.
Very overrated.
Couple years have to pay Judge, Sanchez, Servino. Like it. DJ does not strike out too bad. Building for playoffs, more contact hitters. Also great d at second. Hey Manny is great. But don’t want a long contract. Next year pitching FA
Guess Torres is gonna be playing a lotta SS. I’m kind of shocked that they gave him a 2-year deal.
Why not just accept Starlin Castro from the Marlins? He was more productive than DJ last season and the Fish would have paid his salary down to maybe $8M just to save a few bucks. Seriously.
DJ adds Gold glove caliber defense at 2B and isn’t as much of a slouch at the plate that people make him out to be. Granted we may see the Coors field effect on his bat, but that is too be determined.
Why give up player capital when you can just sign DJ?
For the love of all that is good, don’t trade Andujar!
Welp. Good signing but I won’t deny I really wanted Machado. But you really can’t have ~ half a billion dollars tied up in 2 players so I understand, with more deals to come for Judge, Severino, Hicks, etc..
Hicks????? I wouldn’t give Hicks more then 3/60. I like him but I don’t love him. Rather get a speedy cf out there. Maybe we are waiting for Trout? Lol
why the dislike on hicks? he’s been a top 5 cf the last two seasons.
Now they should deal Torres and Andjuar to the Nats for Rendon. Rendon – Troy T- DJ-Bird would be quite the infield.
Wow. That’s quite the offer for a rental.
What a stupid idea. Especially when rendon is a FA next off season
Um, no.
I just realized DJ bats RH’d. This team has hardly any LH bats in the lineup. Both catchers, and the entire infield outside of Bird (who might be in the minors) is RH. That leaves Gardner and Hicks as their only LH bats. Unless I’m missing someone (Didi is hurt).
Tyler Wade doesn’t count. Yet at least. Short porch in RF for 80+ games and they have a 7 to 8 man RH lineup. That’s not exactly ideal.
If bird wins first base
Jason Heyward may be available?
Stanton and Judge can hit it out anywhere in YS ad DJ is spray hitter like Jeter.
I will say this much, if the financial flexibility the Yankees have gained over the last few years isn’t used I will be ticked. I will wait and see
I kinda agree with you. It hurts watching elite talent get passed by due to some need to make the Steinbrenner’s more money. However i will say the Yankees currently employ the largest contract in sports history, paying Ellsbury $21+ million to play as much as you and I, and employ the largest contract for a closer in MLB history. When we have to re-sign all the young kids in 5 years it will be easier due to this restraint, but yeah damn it’s tough saying the Yankees on a budget
The elite talent is still available, don’t forget that
Get ANOTHER RH Bat????
Great..
Daaannngg wasn’t expecting this! This Machado situation just got a little more interesting
Giants wanted him to replace Joe Panik and the Yankees pick him up to be a utility player. Man, Zaidi is the worst ever
12 mil a yr. head scratcher
for how cheap they got him? i really like this pickup for the Yanks
Harper coming now to NYY is more real now. Stanton to Dodgers
Don’t the Yankees want a little extra left swinging pop? I mean until Didi gets back that’s an all Righty infield
I wonder if he will even be an everyday player ? He could be used like Marwin Gonzalez
Andujar for Teheran. Sign Machado. World Series #28 Guaranteed
LMAOOOOO
Andujar could now be part of a package for a starter. Andujar, Gray, maybe Frazier or some prospects for Kluber? that’s probably the only way I don’t cry over losing Andujar.
I can not see Cleveland having any interest in Sonny Gray or Frazier in a Kluber deal. Gray has only one year of control and Frazier is a major health risk. The Indians need more sure chips than Frazier and Gray for 3 years of Kluber. I would rather get Torres over Andujar. Andujar’s defense is lousy and the Indians value defense.
How about Clint Frazier, Andujar and Hicks to Cleveland for Bauer and then we have room for both Machado and Harper?
Hicks only has one year of control and Frazier is a concussion problem. Neither are what Cleveland is looking for. Besides, latest reports suggest that they are unlikely to trade Bauer or Kluber unless totally bowled over.
i like this signing a lot but just makes tulo signing even more useless. I’d rather have Tyler wade on my bench than Tulo.
There’s no real guarantee Tulo is a MLB quality player anymore seeing as the last time he was playing he was replacement level and that was in May of 2017.
Him getting signed to a league minimum contract really means nothing.
Hmmm. So is this in case Tulo does not work out? Would they move Torres to SS? Maybe I am slow (probably) but I do not fully understand this.
Super utility guy, bench player that will play quite a bit at every position.
Seems expensive for a utility player. 95%+ of his time has been at 2nd. Because he has some games at other positions does not make him a utility player.
Tulo will be utility guy. Torres to SS and DJ at 2nd
Machado to White Sox, Harper to Nats. Both teams win their respective divisions THIS year.
Seen that White Sox rotation? They’re garbage, even with Nova.
CWS need either acquire a proven starter, or for someone to step up BIG in spring training — preferably both.
Either way, Giolito will be on a short leash.
Maybe garbage on paper right now but aside from Ivan Nova you are talking about young pitchers who haven’t come close to approaching their ceilings. The sure bets to begin the season in the rotation among those young starters are Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito. White Sox #3 prospect Dylan Cease is a good bet to join that staff at mid-season with #6 Dane Dunning also a possibility late in 2019.
I still think that there is a better than even chance the White Sox add another solid veteran option to the mix, especially if they luck out in the Manny Machado and/or Bryce Harper sweepstakes. Machado in particular would give the team some extra depth on the left side of their infield opening up the possibility of a trade involving Tim Anderson if the former is promised the SS position in 2019 and beyond. If the White Sox could secure Machado soon enough,I wouldn’t sleep on them as strong suitors for FA Dallas Keuchel
With Tulo signed to fill in for Didi, and Torres at 2B this signing is a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Trade Andujar and have Torres or DJ at 3rd? Should be interesting.
Torres will play SS. When Didi returns it will all depend on injuries and what the 1B combo is doing. If Bird/Voit crap the bed we may see Andujar move to 1B. I think they’d be better off teaching Stanton to play 1B with Andujar at DH when Didi comes back.
Everything I have heard from NY says they are not fond of Torres playing SS. I thought the same, but then why even pick up Tulo?
Cheap insurance in the event they couldn’t land someone else.
All the chatter I read on Tulo was that he went with the Yanks specifically because he would be their starting SS, not a 2B, not a back-up.
At this point, the guy making the league minimum won’t have much choice in the matter. He has to prove he’s healthy also. We’ll see how things play out.
Seems Harper to Yanks might be more possible now. Stanton to Dodgers ? All NYY teams to win a World Series had a lefty power hitter in the lineup !
Xabial- is that you?? 🙂
I agree with this sentiment.
My sauces are telling me the Dodgers inquires with Yabks regarding Stanton and if so the Yanks need to consider it if they can get Harper for a similar contract length but of course Stanton cap hit is 22.5 mill while Harpers will be close to 40….
Sauces belong with spaghetti or Chinese dishes
Billy is on the sauce again!
How’s he field? The guys a gold Glover! Also a very good hitter. Takes very good at bats. Great signing! You’ll all be pleased.
No Manny. Andujar at 1B/DH, LeMahier at 2B, Tulo at SS until DiD I returns, Torres at 3B. Gardner to bench and Stanton plays LF. looks great in my estimation, and we save mucho $ and another long contract. Way to go, Cash !
1st base is harder to play than 3rd. Enough with the Andujar to 1st base stuff. People act like Andujar couldn’t field anything at 3rd. He needs work, but jeez, he wasn’t that horrendous. Smfh.
Exactly. People don’t remember all the hate Jeter got when he came up for his defense. 22 errors his first full season. Fielding takes hard work and practice.
You can tell all of this is Manny Machado disease so many are negative hateful turning against fellow Yankee fans, Yankee management, Yankee owners, I feel sorry for these people spouses or significant others who have to put up with their miserable acting mate
Absolute waste of money!!! 12 million a year for a guy who hits 260 away from Coors field. Unreal this organization
Plays multiple positions, solid contact hitter and only 12 million per year ? Hardly a waste
95% of his games have come at 2B and 2B is the only position he’s played since 2014. That doesn’t scream versatility to me. This isn’t a “fell in our lap” signing like Walker or Lind were last year. I trust Cash but this one is a head scratcher. Why spend $24 mil for a RH 2B when we have Torres their already?
Depth, he’s roughly a 4 win 2B type because of his glove.
And guess what the Yankees have Gleyber at 2nd.
i never said he wasn’t a good 2b. we have one already and 2/$24 is a lot for a insist you don’t need. If not Harper then i.d rather use that money, or half to sign Markakis to play LF, balance out all the high k guys and give us some lh offense.
I wouldn’t mind Nick, but he is a RF. only 27 games in left over his career.
Not a ‘complete’ waste of $$.
Think of all that income tax revenue.
Yankees fans “wE dOnT nEeD mAcHaDo”
Dodgers fans “theres always next year”
Truthfully they don’t “need” him, but I am sure he would be a nice to have.
If someone said your team would have DJ Lemahieu batting 9-hole, you’d take it. That is exactly where he should be slotted on this Yankees team because they are loaded. Add the fact that he’s a top notch defender at 2B and you have a deep squad.
How exactly are the Yankees going to manage the team to try and take advantage of platoons? Everyone is RH? Makes them much easier to manage against late in games. The dodgers have been successful using their depth largely because they had a balanced flexible lineup.
Most pitchers are right handed so that whole “too many right handlers” thing is overrated imo. Boston is mostly right handed too and that didn’t stop them last year
I’d also argue the Dodgers tend to lean on switches too many times, overmanaging their platoons way too early in games. Iver AKA #goutseyes had a look at the 2014 Blue Jays where they’d constantly call on pinch hitters in the 7th or 8th inning, where A) the defense would weaken, and B) when the pinch hitter was needed in the 9th inning they were already in the game.
Dave Roberts certainly overmanaged his bench early and often, and I hope he sent Craig Counsell a lovely gift basket at Christmas for allowing the Dodgers off the hook.
Yankees won’t have that problem. Great RH hitting is a luxury. Being lefty heavy when your lefty sticks struggle against left handed pitching is more problematic.
It’s not about the pitchers as much as it is about the park. With that short porch in right you’d think they might want at least a few lefties to take advantage of it.
ummmm most left handers hit right handers well. the fact that the Yanks have a home field advantage that they won’t be taking advantage of is a shame.
Judge, Stanton, DJ, and Voit are all great at going opposite field. Hicks is a switch hitter, and Didi will be back at some point. They have the porch covered just fine.
^And they have the sty lefty reliever covered with a bunch of beastly RH bats. There is no issue here.
I wonder if Didi’s rehab is not going well…
He won’t be back till late summer
Maybe now we will get to involved in the Harper discussion
Just using common sense, I can’t see how DJ won’t be their everyday 2B. DJ’s main asset is his defense. Using a .720 – .750 OPS hitter at a corner infield spot, diluting the player’s main asset, doesn’t pass the sniff test for me. I think this move is a setup for a trade. Perhaps Andujar to the Indians for a pitcher? Don’t know. But, if Cashman is using up resources to sign DJ as a bench / utility player, that is probably not smart. But, then again, my opinion of Cashman isn’t that high, so maybe I’m wrong.
I agree – which leaves Torres in the dark. Yankees have said they do not want him at SS in Didi’s absence, hence the Tulo signing. Hard to see them moving Torres to 3rd, but he may be an upgrade over Andujar. Them Andujar can package a deal that includes Gray. I don’t want to see any of this happen (sans Gray being moved) but this is a head scratcher
Not what I expected, and a very full price, albeit only for two years. You never know what a team with the much money is going to do next, but this seems like a bridge away from Machado, unless the Yankees are going to be dealing from infield surplus or concerned about Didi’s price next year.
That’s an interesting take. I think the Yanks were sincere about wanting to retain Didi but his arbitration is still i flux.
I trust cashman and the organization
DJ could end up being a nice complement to this roster, especially if he can play multiple positions. His skill set is basically what most of the rest of the roster lacks. He plays great IF defense (which as of now, none of the other infielders do) and is a high average/low K guy. If he’s going to be considered the “easy out” of the lineup by opposing pitchers, I could see him having a nice season if he gets some regular playing time.
No Manny!!!
For those worried about his Coors splits, you do realize Yankee stadium has high school dimensions right?
That doesn’t really help his game… He has absolutely no power. His Coors splits are huge because he can use the big field to his advantage, which he won’t be able to do as much in a stadium with “high school dimensions.”
Congrats Yankees. D.J. brings poise, experience and a solid bat to New York. I’ve watched him for years here in Colorado. This guy is a class act, a tough out and certainly a standout on defense. Good luck D.J. Maybe now you will get to a World Series.
Always nice to hear from someone who has seen a guy play — day in & day out.
(Minoso4ever!!!!)
No Bryce and Manny. Picked up or re-signed a few pitchers. Now Gold Glove, contact hitting LeMahieu. Been a great offseason by Cashman. Yanks are gonna do some damage this year, no doubt.
Does DJ play all of those positions or are the Yanks trying him out as a UTIL player? He was the regular second baseman in Colorado. Idk enough about his versatility
Wow! 2/$24 for a utility role? At least Yanks aren’t sitting on their wallets!
He’s paid that much cause he should be playing most days of the week. Very good ball player to be a bench role.
DJ is a good veteran player who will upgrade the Yanks defense with their upgrades at pitching. He will make all the pitchers better. He is also an opposite field hitter like Jeter and that will help him at Yankee stadium. This gives the Yanks some stability in the infield with all the young players they have in the infield. This gives Boone the chance to move Andujar to DH and Stanton to LF if need be.
Why he isn’t considered an every day player blows my mind. I understand he had a down year last year, but he’s quite a hitter and can play the game. He’s only 29… so there is a lot left in the tank for a former batting champ
If Mchado’s price is right the Yankees will still sign him, and just cut Tulo. But DJ makes it clear they’re preparing to move on without Manny.
The only thing I have is the Yanks r very right heavy until DiDi comes back. If Tulo is playing well does DiDi DH when he comes back to rest that arm? With Stanton-Hicks-Judge in the OF? That puts Gardy as the 4th OF and Frazier/Ells as the 5th. By then Bird will probably play himself out of NY
Voit is the invisible man. ppl act like he doesn’t exist.
NYY now project a LUX TAX Salary of 218 MM. Even if they trade Gray they only save 8MM..
They still need SP depth with CC, Tanaka, Paxton all DL risks.
They have SP depth. They just signed Hutchinson to a minor league deal and have German, Loaisia, Adams, and Cessa all in AAA, and they haven’t traded Gray yet. You can’t have 3 major league starters just sitting in the bullpen for the purpose of depth. Depth pieces in that regard have to be AAA guys.
Gray to CWS for a couple of AAA/AA arms.
A bunch of AAA SP’s will do what against the best offense in 2018 — ALL of which have resigned for 2019?
Where are you seeing 218?
Cot’s had the NYY 2019 TAX # at 206.4 without DJ LeM.
Machado wants to be a Yankee, Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t like Machado. What do you expect to happen?
HAl sTEinbrenner
HA …TE
CanOCOrn
C…OCO
COCO!
What, … we already have a T-bone?
Machado won’t be in pinstripes. Harper may, but the Nats appear most likely to be his destination. Still thinking Yankees have a long-term interest in bringing “home” Trout. The Angels could move him early for Andujar, Thairo Vargas, Everson Perera and a couple of nubile arms, and Yankees would have him for at least two years if not longer for about $40M per.
“bringing “home” Trout” WTH?
LOL
So, as a Phillies Phan, this is all very interesting.
Todd Zolecki of MLB reported that the Phillies had made an offer to Machado in the recent past, and were poised to make another offer to him..
To that, add that the Phillies meeting with Harper today and also reported to be ready to make an offer..
All the while, Dallas K is sitting there waiting for the checkbooks to open up..hummmmm
Correction to my comment..Stupid Money meeting is tomorrow, not today..
My bad..
Deep dish pizza or cheese steak for Manny?
Big face to face meeting in Vegas tomorrow between John “Stupid Money” Middleton and Bryce Harper.
I can see Manny replacing Frank Thomas in the Buona Italian Beef commercials with Anthony Rizzo in Chicago.
Thin crust pizza — much less fattening.
But Manny can afford to have a few dozen quail’s eggs flown in if he feels like an omelet.
This better mean Bird is gone soon. dont know how much more he has to struggle before they see he’s not worth a roster spot.
A source on Friday morning confirmed a MASN report that the Phillies have hired former Orioles third-base coach Bobby Dickerson
Dickerson has been a longtime mentor to Machado, whom the Phillies want to sign to a multiyear contract.
(*_^) still doesn’t beat the Bro-In-Law..
So does this make Tulo the odd man out even before Didi comes back? I feel like Cashman is doing what he did last year by getting too many IF. Last year he got Drury and Walker when they had Didi, Andujar, Torres, Torreyes, Wade, and a few others that were cut before the season started whose names are slipping my mind. I understand Didi is hurt, so Tulo was gonna fill in, but now it looks like you’ll have two odd mans out when Didi comes back (Tulo and DJ).
I’m a Yankees fan, but am I the only one who doesn’t understand this move? We’re in dire need of a left-handed bat with some pop, but Cashman is stockpiling RH-hitting middle infielders who are limited by injuries or only being able to play one position with any regularity.
I don’t want Machado, I never wanted Machado and if this move takes us out of the running for him, that’s fantastic, but it still makes no sense to me. Daniel Murphy was a much better fit IMO based solely on the fact that he’s a lefty who makes contact and has proven he’s got power in the past, power which would have been to his advantage in Yankee Stadium. I think he’d have been good for 30 homers in The Bronx and would have come at almost the same cost while helping to balance a massively righty-heavy lineup.
Does Cashman know something the rest of us don’t? Does Machado want to be a Yankee so badly that Cashman is signing everyone else to force Manny into taking a deal for fewer years if he really wants to play here?
This makes a ton of sense. He’s excellent defensively and now he can spell Andujar at third and take some pressure off of Andujar to allow him to improve defensively. He can play 2nd and first. Super sub. Tulo is ss, Torres 2nd. Better defense, contact bats. Only question I have is lineup very LH. Cash loves RH bats with extreme shifts on LH bats so maybe thus is a big reason. Maybe we are still in on Harper?
He is a gold glove second baseman with minimal to no work at other positions. It took a season+ just to get Torres switched to second. While we saw some dazzling plays, he to has some way to go. Why does everyone on this thread think you can take a player and plug them in at any position.
You’re right. This signing is confusing on so many levels.
Murphy signed with the Rockies. He is gone.
LeMahieu won the batting title in 2017. The guy can hit. Torres can take SS or 3B until Didi returns. Andujar takes over at 1B or DH if Cash wants to move Stanton back to the OF. Bird or Voit are traded. This makes perfect sense.
It also does not take Cash out of the running for Machado. Didi is in the final year of his deal.
I’m well aware that Murphy signed with the Rockies, but he was available 6 weeks ago for basically the same price and would have made more sense IMO.
LeMahieu won the batting title playing in Coors Field and also because he didn’t play the last couple games, so I take that with a grain of salt. Lots of guys who hit in Coors Field couldn’t hit anywhere else.
Didi being in the last year of his contract is also pretty meaningless. I can’t see the Yankees letting him leave; they probably won’t extend him, but he’s almost certain to get a QO and if he doesn’t want to sign for whatever the Yankees offer, Cashman will take the pick and walk away, but I can’t see Didi playing anywhere else, his power numbers are pretty heavily inflated with the Yankees and that’s good for him.
I’m also well aware that we’re not out of the running for Machado, which is why I posed the question of whether Cashman knows something the rest of the league doesn’t I.E. Machado only wants to play for the Yankees. In this scenario, Cashman is basically telling Manny that if he wants to be a Yankee that badly, he’s going to have to take less years and dollars than what he’ll get somewhere else AND play 3b, which he doesn’t want to do.
If Cashman gets Machado on his terms, cool. If not, no real loss IMO as long as he stays out of the division.
Nice job Cash. What a bargain for a guy that won the batting title 2 years ago. He will rake in Yankee Stadium and the AL East.
This means 1B is still a black hole, LeMaheiu at 2B, Torres at SS until Didi returns, and Tulo or ??? at 3B.
Maybe Cash moves Andujar to 1B since he can’t play 3B or OF and Stanton is at DH. That would fill that void. Voit and Bird are not the solution at 1B, that is for sure.
More moves to come I am sure.
As presently constituted, the alightment will be:
1B Voit
2B Torres
SS Tulowitzki
3B Andujar
UT LeMahieu
Torres can back up Tulowitzki, and LeMahieu back up 2B. In the event of a Machado signing, Andujar can rotate between 1B and DH.
Nope. Just because the article says some garbage like that does not make it so. Are you listening to the press conference.
Andujar cannot play 3B. The only question is whether he is the 1B or DH in 2019. The Yankees cannot afford to have that much of a defensive liability at 3B.
LeMahieu won the batting title in 2016. He won’t be a utility guy getting 400 AB a season. Not happening. He will be a starter. Torres will be moving to either SS or 3B.
Tulo is not guaranteed the spot at SS. He missed all of last season, played 66 games in 2017, and has not played regularly since 2016 and he was only average then. If its a choice between Torres and Tulo, Torres wins everytime and twice on Sunday. If by some stroke of bad luck Andujar is still at 3B on opening day, then Tulo is the utility guy.
Voit has 31 starts last season and you are anointing him the starting 1B in pinstripes? ROTFLMFAO. So glad that Cash doesn’t think like you.
Another free agent off of the market. The Dodgers front office is going to be begging Utley to come out of retirement.
If gray is traded that will cover 9 of the 12 million owed to DJ in 2019
How do you make your pitchers better? You sign the best defensive 2b on the planet..Makes a lot of sense Tulo is fragile Didi is unknown if everyone is healthy you have a bit of a log jam but in turn you have one of the deepest bench’s in league
Crazy prediction:
Phillies sign Harper this weekend. White Sox sign Pollock and Keuchel. Both teams rescind their offers to Machado.
Would serve him right for d*cking them around.
He’s waiting for all of the final offers to come in and it’s a big decision for him and his career
Pollock and Keuchel too expensive and too long-term with so many hot prospects a year or two away.
Manny fills a traditionally strong position in CWS history with a potential all-time great. Nothing in the pipeline at SS after gifting Tatis Jr. to SD.
I agree with your take on Manny Machado although Tim Anderson does provide the White Sox with a potential cornerstone SS if the former signs with the Phillies. I also wouldn’t sleep on the White Sox as possible fits for Dallas Keuchel and A.J. Pollock.
Similar to the lack of a quality SS, and at 3B with Jake Burger’s achilles injuries, the organization isn’t particularly loaded with elite southpaw starting pitchers either. Beyond the continuing potential of Carlos Rodon in their current rotation, most all of the top White Sox starting candidates throw from the right side. Keuchel could provide the White Sox with a second lefty, one with a much different look than the vast majority of their right-handed power arms who are expected to debut on the South Side. Keuchel could be their new Mark Buehrle with a sensible 4-year deal and a vesting option or two.
As for Pollock, he likely won’t sign until the Bryce Harper situation resolves itself. He might make for a decent alternative on the South Side if they strike out on Harper. A higher AAV for shorter years with a vesting option could make sense for the White Sox with only Eloy Jimenez looking like a sure bet in their OF in the next two seasons. Luis Robert could potentially be ready as soon as 2020 but like Pollock, he has some injury concerns. After Robert, the potential debuts of Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo, Luis Gonzalez and/or Luis Alexander Basabe look more likely in 2021 or later. Polock could provide a decent bridge option for 2-3 years if he was amenable to such a deal. If not, the White Sox should pass, especially with them also losing their 2nd round pick next June should they sign him.
Remember Dan Clark and his guarantee?
https://twitter.com/ChuckGarfien/status/1083818318421782530
The team that lost to the Red Sox had Robertson and Britton. Resigning Britton while losing Robertson bmakes us worse not better. And if Paxton isn’t healthy come playoff time then that move didn’t make us better even if he pitches well in the regular season. We won 100 games despite having Gray, CC, Germain, Cessa as 4th and 5th starters.
No way is DJ backing up Torres. His glove alone makes him a better option. Maybe another move coming.
So nodody on this entire thread sees this as a precursor to a trade of one of the other infielders and STILL possibly getting Machado? Yanks can upgrade their pitching staff as well by just shipping one of these guys to the Cubs for Quintana. Think about it, 2B is set with LeMahieu. That leaves Didi, Torres, Tulo, and Andujar all vying for spots for SS and 3B? Someone is going to go folks!
Even though the Cubs lack sufficient depth in their starting rotation beyond their current 5 of Lester, Hendricks, Hamels, Darvish and Quintana, I could see them gladly trading “Q” back to the Yankees for the return of Gleyber Torres. Perhaps the Yankees would be kind enough to send Sonny Gray their way as bonus!
Seriously though, I can definitely see the Yankees still trading from their infield depth in order to secure another starting pitcher and maybe even add a right-handed reliever to replace departed FA David Robertson. How about a left power bat to provide some balance to their lineup while we’re at it? What would you consider a fair trade for say, Quintana, reliever Carl Edwards Jr. and DH/LF/1B Sultan of Swat Kyle Schwarber?
Lol, lots of teams have tried to pry Schwarber away from the Cubs the last couple seasons. The problem is, he is pretty much a lock +800 OPS hitter that has improved his defense quite a bit that is very affordable and he doesn’t like the idea of being the DH. I think the Cubs are going to go with him at least one more season. Instead of Schwarber put in Happ and you have a deal for Torres and a solid prospect
Torres is worth more than all of these guys, he’s not getting moved period.
Yankees would for sure give up Torres or Andujar for the combo of Quintana and Edwards. Edwards has great stuff and his addition to the pen would make the 7th/8th and 9th just devastating to other team’s chances to comeback. Quintana is the perfect 3 or 4 spot in the rotation the Yanks are looking for.
Wow…don’t know where you guys dream this stuff up……Quintana, is a .500 pitcher (cue the saber metrics geeks) and while all you Cubs fans keep talking about how “improved” Scwharber’s defense because what makes you think he can play first….he either hits the ball out or strikes out and we already have pretty good collection of those guys.
Don’t know about this guy Edwards, but our bullpen is already a pretty good assemblage of talented throwers.
I do see this as a precursor to an infield trade, but not this year and not for Machado. Instead, I see the Yanks giving Andujar one more season at third to improve his defense, else he gets flipped when they sign Nolan Arenado.
Pretty happy the Yankees did this. Seemed like a waste to not pursue the glut of top tier second basemen. Now they can focus on pitching. If they still go after Machado, I’ll be surprised.
I wonder if they will still deal Andujar and keep Torres in the infield?
Looks like it’s down to the phillies and white sox for machado with this move
The Red Sox must have called him.
lets review yank roster. We have now the following 6 guys; cc, happ, gardy, DJ, tulo and els eating up roster spots to the tune of 70 million. He’s no genius. Most of these guys either take up space or IR space. Yes, its shorter term dollars, but who cares. this idiot does this every damn year.
he is simply turning the Yankees into, well the Mets.
Yanks brought in 750 million last year!
Since this is all projecting, check fangraphs, Yanks have the best team!
Fangraphs? Who care what a software algorithm says. The yanks are a shoe in for the playoffs.
The issue is October and the lack of pitching. My point is how money is wasted…
Lets see Tulo is earning next to nothing. Sabbathia and Happ cost 25 mill combined and both had 3.65 eras last year. DJ has been an All Star twice.The only dead weight you mentioned is Ellsbury who was a mistake made many years ago.They have a payroll over 210 million dollars How does any of this resemble the Mets and exactky what are you talking about
Cashman is limiting his long term commitments now, this is a great move on his part. By the end of the season Didi will be playing SS, Torres/ DJ sharing second, Andujar/DJ sharing third, and Andujar/Stanton sharing DH, Gardy/ Frazier sharing Lf, and Voit/Bird sharing first. This gives Boone all the flexibilty to win. Anything they get out of Tulo is gravy.
Soo, what’s the plan. Torres at SS while Didi is out and LaMahieu is at 2nd? I feel like something else is in the works. No way DJ serves as a backup. Someone is getting traded.
Or maybe they have DJ has an insurance plan in case Two-month Tulo goes on the DL again.
The next Yankees signing will be Drew Pomeranz guaranteed
Well the yankees lineup is gonna be godtier. If they add one good rotation piece its as good as over. As a rays fan im a little scared lol
Well welcome to Philly Manny.
From the Yankees stand point, strange move but interesting.
Having a guy who makes contact will be a great thing on a team that’s always got people on the bases but loves to K.
He could have some really inflated RBI numbers.
Outside of that hes an elite defender.
Which means they can play him at 2nd, and torres at ss if/when Tulo gets hurt.
Can also play him at 3rd, DH Andujar and put Stanton in LF if Andjar doesn’t improve enough defensively.
When Didi gets back hes insurance, then can play 2nd next year if Didi leaves via free agency.
Machado should be a Phillie by early next week the latest.
It’s amazing how some teams want to win and other teams like the Angels could not careless.
Hal says no to Manny No Hustle.
Wow. I like this deal from both sides!!
Yankee fans make me laugh….you guys cry all the time…DJ is your 2b…torres SS,, andujar 3b….tulo is just hanging around til july…..Manny will be on a loser in Chi town….yanks have added Big Maple.. Happ …Britton your team looks great for next year and you didnt throw a bunch a money away on the head case manny Moooochado….enjoy you trip to the world series…well I enjoy my summer watching the Tigers….good luck
This means Torres to SS didi will be traded and no Machado.
How would did be traded. he’s injured…..
The Yankees asked for kyle Schwarber in 2016 for Chapman. Theo said no way. You can acquire injured players.
I cant wait til next year when yanks sign Betts ..Degrom.. Verlander and Arenado……Life is good….
They sign deGrom in 2 years, get it right.
I realize Yankee fans realize they should be able to sign anyone they want, so in addition to signing Betts and deGrom, why don’t you sign Trout and LIndor as well.
I guess Yankee fans believe they have the right to sign free agents before they actually become free agents.
Brilliant comment
For what Cashman?? You think LeM and Corbin, Tulo are going to help pass the Sox?!!? Sox repeat division title. What did Sox fans chant after destroying LA?? You know!!
Corbin did not sign with the yanks. They traded for Paxton.
How do people complain so much about “Coors” field stats..But then Yankee stadium is literally smaller then any High school field with a key stream to right …
Because Yankee stadium don’t have the think air like Coors which affects the ball.
It’s the thin mountain air at Coors Field.
Because it has not everything to do with the dimensions of the park and everything to do with the altitude.
Balls dont break as much from pitchers making contact easier, they go further, bigger field and much more room for balls to fall in. As well as larger gaps and more ground to cover leading to many more doubles and triples.
Coors is in a league of its own.
Yankee stadium just gives cheap hrs to RF.
Otherwise there is no advantage over most parks.
I’m a fan of the signing since it gives us flexibility and a proven hitter on a short term deal. My main concern with the lineup is lack of lefties. We only have bird hicks and Gardner as our only lefties and garner and Bird are platoon players. Wonder if they still have an avenue to get Harper. Thoughts?
save money for trout
Still would rather have Harper. His swing is made for The Stadium.
It’s amazing all the “we are signing everyone”
Posts
I just want bigger and longer contracts.. sewer them
And then there were two!!! Let’s go Phils!!!!
Sanchez, Andujar, Tulowitzki, Torres, and Voit is a starting infield that could have so much go wrong.
Why would you post that in a comment section about signing Lemahieu
Why not give them a chance instead of being negative. Look at a glass half full half empty sometimes things may turn out different then you think
I don’t think Lemahieu signs with the Yankees if he wasn’t going to be the everyday 2nd baseman, when he had opportunities elsewhere to be a starter. It is likely he starts at 2nd. Torres could end up as the starting shortstop. Nobody knows for sure what Tulo is going to be. He hasn’t played in a long time.
“Wow’? Look at the guy’s road stats. This is essentially the Neil Walker signing, except he figured to be a better hitter and a worse fielder. Just Tulo insurance, that’s all. Not a big deal.
I don’t remember Walker winning a batting title hitting multiple times over .300 or winning a number of gold gloves…I may be wrong but do not remember Walker doing so
Hahahahaha
Apparently Zaidi’s plan to push Panik to the Yankees was a few years late! They saw his production drop and lost hope and signed LeMahieu instead. Didn’t see a major reason to sign LeMahieu for what is likely a dead season or two
A number of fans including the media are being so headstrong if not bias that any other current Yankee player, new free agent signing or trade that isn’t named Manny Machado is considered bad, stupid or horrible as somehow interfered with Yankees getting Machado. The pattern of this behavior is so blatantly obvious.
I noticed this most with Miguel Andujar instead of fans being proud of their young rookie third baseman being a media ROY runner-up (even more unfair then Sanchez not being ROY) players choice ROY who tore MLB pitching to shreds his first year they’ve done nothing but talk about his horrid defense. You’d think were talking about Dale Berra but I know it’s mainly the Manny syndrome blaming Andujar Yankees may not sign Machado
I notice this with anyone the Yankees sign it’s getting in way of Yankees getting Machado so biased that good signing, fair signing any signing is horrible.
Read someone posted regarding with signing LeMahieu the Yankees finally have someone on their roster who hit .300 batting average they are right. Hitting .300 is a thing of the past now we have guys hitting .199 which used to be horrible. It used to be anything below .250 was considered below average. He won 3 gold gloves I read he is average fielder at best. I see he won a batting title two years ago had 3 years above .300 and I read he can’t hit? I know it was in Rockies stadium but I am puzzled. Before Manny a lot of fans would had considered it a good signing. Even signing Tulo for peanuts thanks to Toronto Jays footing the 30 million dollar bill fans are mortified. How do you know he may not turn things around for almost zero risk? Wasn’t long ago Tulo was considered the level next to a SS Superstar.
LeMahieu is signed as a Super Utility that’s it a roving back up so it’s not a bad signing could use switch hitting left hitting like Gonzalez but the trade period isn’t done.
I agree with you RJ. The naysayers are either Mets fans or their pampers are wet. Manny was never a true fit because they DIDNT need another right handed bat with a long term deal.
This signing gives them flexibility. Perhaps it clears space for the lefty bat that we all desire:
BRYCE
This signing closes the door on a SP Ace,Bryce. Manny and even Arenando in 2020. For 2019 the Lux Tax level is now at 212MM. In 2020 it gets worse. FAs include Didi , Betances, CC, Gardy, Hicks, Romine. (they won’t replace that production for the 37 MM in 2019 Salary) 2020 Big $$$ Arb raises due for Paxton Severino, Judge, Sanchez, Bird, Chad Green, Montegomery, Holder and Kanle.. Unless Hal is willing to blow the top off the Lux Tax the window will close.
I’m thinking this move shows no faith in Tulo and the door to Didi. A team that wants to pinch pennies doesn’t drop $12 mil per year on a utility player.
I don’t think they want to show Didi the door they love Didi I think they resign or extend his contract
I think they value Didi too. Maybe during the arbitration process they discovered Didi is looking for a payday much bigger than the Yankees would consider. Also, who knows how TJ surgery will effect Didi. Didi is a question mark at SS at this point.
At this point your thinking is a question mark, not Didi. We’re glad that Cash is the GM and not you ONE, because your read into things is filled with immature emotion. Your maybes are far fetched and actually ridiculous.
I guess Andujar could also be on the move (in a trade or to 1B) with Gleyber moving to 3B. The money involved just doesn’t make sense if LeMahieu isn’t playing full time.
I believe you need to rethink your thoughts Andujar isn’t going anywhere far more likely Yankees are not getting Machado unless you see him with a Yankee uniform on I wouldn’t count on it…just sayin
The Yankees don’t trust Andujar at 3B, in an important situation, with the skillset he exhibited last year. If his defense doesn’t improve, he’ll be moved to a new position or in a trade.
I don’t think it’s trust I think it’s they new defense is his greatest challenge to improve so he sat when CC pitched because CC throws a lot of pitches that go to ground balls, CC can’t field, hence they didn’t play Andujar. I am urging you to kindly take a couple minutes of your time go to Youtube type in Andujar 2018 defense highlights watch it only a couple minutes or so then ask yourself if maybe you’re being a little bit over judgmental, to give the kid a chance.to get better.
If you are a yankee fan who actually follows the team and Cashman’s moves you would know that it’s purely about adding STRENGTH to roster depth and flexibility.
Let’s see what Andujar brings after an off-season of work. If his footwork improves he stays at 3B; if not he breaks in a 1B mitt.
Bottom line,, the Yanks are a much improved team over their 100 win team of last year, which is bad news for every team playing them.
The acquisition of 2B DJ LeMahieu makes me think the Yankees have no faith that SS Troy Tulowitzki or SS Didi Gregorius will return to health and that Gleyber Torres will be the primary SS.
Do you read or just make bellyaching predictions Garry? They signed this guy on for DEPTH. What don’t you get?
Why would you believe everything you read? The media is just a tool at Cashman’s disposal. Cashman has referenced the luxury tax throughout the off season and now he spends 12 mil a year for a utility player? That doesn’t add up. Reading is a great skill, but it doesn’t provide much value, unless it’s combined with critical thought.
That “utility player” is a Gold Glove winner, who is skilled with the bat.
His contact skills and defense will play well with the Yankees which is why they spent what they spent.
And not sure why you don’t think that “adds up” and “doesn’t provide much value” when this guy has had very successful seasons over the past few!
@ Rocky7. It’s been stated that DJ will play 2B, 3B, and 1B. That’s a utility player. Utility players are part-time players. Players that make 12 mil per year are full-time players. That’s what doesn’t add up, so I expect him to play most days. I never said anything about DJ not providing much value. Please read my comment again. He provides the most value at 2B. I have faith he would have no problem fielding at 3B or 1B, but that’s not his best known strength. I don’t think he’s played either of those positions in four years. Even if his fielding is above average at 1B and 3B, his bat is most likely below average at the corners, unless he proves otherwise. The dude’s hitting skills may play up at Yankee Stadium, who knows. If you read the initial comment, it talks about Gleyber becoming the primary SS, which is what I was supporting with my prior comment. I expect DJ to play most days at 2B with Gleyber at SS, unless Tulo proves he should be starting. If Cashman had full confidence in Tulo’s or Didi’s return to their prior star levels of play, he wouldn’t have dropped 12 mil/yr on DJ. He would grabbed a short term solution for much less. The Yankees “spent what they spent,” because they expect DJ to be starting most days, not to be a utility player. If Tulo and Didi come back strong, it’s a great problem to have, but it wouldn’t be smart to expect that outcome.
There’s no bellyaching on my part DJ LeMahieu is the best 2B on the roster. Regardless what the article says.
But you are free to continue to think what your told to think.
I don’t think they want to show Didi the door they love Didi I think they resign or extend his contract
Don’t know if it’s the sports media or if you fans have lost your dang minds you have a kid Andujar that tore the cover off MLB pitching his first year broke freaking Joe DiMaggio’s doubles record, is about a quiet nice hardworking kid you can ask for, the only Yankee who came close to hitting .300 on the whole team and you want to throw him to the lions trade him for any player who is a pitcher in MLB even heard trade him for minor league prospects You all lost your Manny Machado is a God minds. Wake up snap out of it
His bat is awesome, no doubt. I think it’s going to get better! The question is whether or not he has the aptitude to improve his defense. I hope he gets the chance in a Yankee uniform.
I urge you take a couple minutes go to youtube punch in 2018 Andujar Defense highlights keep an open mind be objectional like you never heard anything about a Miguel Andujar or poor defense see what you think with an open mind…well worth the time
Since when are “highlights” objective???
Forget it wherever Manny goes suggest you start being a fan of the that team I am staying with the Yankees
@ rjsuiter. I can fully understand why you may not be in favor of signing Machado. I would love to see Andujar turn his defense around in Pinstripes! I just want to know why you hate punctuation so much?? Also, how long of a leash do you give Andujar’s defense? Do you really prefer Machado over DJ? What’s wrong with Machado AND Andujar? Let me know if you have a flip phone and I will never comment on your punctuation again. Thanks for reading.
Hey do you get some kind of rise to dishing out personal attacks? Does it make you feel good? Do you go discuss with your significant other hey I just threw some great insults out there today because I am so highly intelligent, Maybe you tell your significant other you should had seen me out there on the internet now I really feel good about myself. This is a baseball blog not an English essay contest.
In any event I never once said I prefer LeMahieu over Machado you have to have mixed me up with someone else or obviously never took the time to read my post.. I am well aware of Machado’s great baseball talents which are immense. You would need to consult with Brian Cashman he and the Yankee talent evaluates Free Agents/Trades that make those decisions not me. I don’t claim to be an expert like you are purporting yourself to be. Have you ever played the game of baseball on any higher level or even coached HS sports. I know someone who has. understand?
By the way you never know who you will bump into on the web who could be a pretty decent guy you took the time to insult… Have you ever had any sit down conversations regarding baseball with Brian Cashman or George Steinbrenner? Perhaps had, dozens of conversations with Yankee players/coaches/announcers from Yogi Berra Phil Rizzuto maybe go with them to bet on the ponies? I bet someone who had done that often would have some very interesting stories to share would you think?
Someone who had those connection might be a decent guy to converse with who would not mind sharing a lot of interesting events if some people were not so quick to judge them on the internet.
You never know you could very well insult a fellow Yankee fan who has a treasure trove of interesting stories who has on many occasions shared dinner/cocktails talking baseball late into the night with El Duque Derek Jeter Soriano Andy Pettitte. & many more Yankees too numerous to name. However when one is too busy spending their time insulting a fellow Yankee fan on the web is more important then establishing a nice contact like that would not be a bad guy to know especially if that person is a victim of having insults thrown at them.
It’s a pity we could not meet up in person you share your talents or resume and compare it to what I have accomplished in my life.
I bet you would be quite shocked and a little embarrassed but it’s not my life mission to insult or embarrass fellow Yankee fans like you on the web who may rightfully differ in opinions which is great so instead of simple debate decide to be petty throwing insults to someone you had no idea who had a rich history of connections to many Yankees past and present.
Respect and kindness go a long way to making connections. You should take the time to learn that.
The same rate Daniel Murphy got? Man, the Yankees are WAY overpaying again. I guess they realized players don’t give them a discount because of their name anymore.
Who were they bidding against?
I didn’t see the MLBTR prediction in the article… did the Yankees ask you not to pint it? You usually do print it when a player signs.
You can make the case that DJ is a better player for the Yanks than Murphy. Murphy was a bad fit for the Yanks. This site had DJ getting 2/18 so the Yanks didn[t overpay for him. Cashman seems to be adding good veteran talent to a young roster which is smart, and he was able to stay away from any long term commitments. If pitching wins in baseball than this Yankee team is one of the best, Fangraphs rates them at 23 WAR with the Indians second at 21.9 right now.
Yankees rate higher due to their bullpen. Indians’ starters 19.4 to the Yankees 16.6.
2 things:
1. Every signing that push Yanks far away from Machado is a great signing.
2. Let’s wait until this offseason is over and than we can elaborate about this move , probably Cash have a good reason , surely will not pay 12mil/yr for bench player, let alone right handed.
Hopping Machado goes to Philly, fans there deserve player like him.
What this signing has done just for mathematical purposes alone has left one bench spot open for battle. Let me esplain por favor!
1st-Either Bird or Voit!
2nd- Torres
3rd- Andujar
SS- Tulo
C- Sanchez
CF- Hicks
RF- Judge
LF- Gardner
DH- Stanton
The Yanks always go with a longer bullpen which leaves 3 bench spots open as follows:
1- Romine
2- DJ LeMahieu (super infield sub)
3- this is that last spot that most likely gets filled by versatile player with defense, speed, perhaps maybe a left handed bat?
Tyler Wade?
Clint Frazier?
The loser of 1st base battle?
Jacoby Elsbury?
Who you are describing who the Yankees that would be a great free agent signing would be Marwin Gonzalez the absolute best super utility player on the market an affordable switch hitter who can play anywhere in the infield and left field. His hard hit rate is among the top in the league has power decent on base and plays hard nose with plenty of playoff experience. A perfect compliment to LeMahieu
And Marwin Gonzalez (still available) should get it. Switch hitter infielder including first base, left field …the bench becomes LeMahieu M Gonzalez Romine. With one guy Gonzalez no need for 2nd first baseman, no need 5th OF Frazier unless Yankees carried one less relief pitcher. With Gonzalez you get 3 guys for the price of 1 being a first baseman another backup infielder and a left fielder ,,makes too much sense
Yankee fans 5 to 6 year young low cost baseball stars that have produced like Judge Andujar Torres Sanchez and even possibly Voit (if he keeps up like last year) are ball players you just don’t get rid of, trade off for pitching aces or trade them off to make room for someone else at mega times the salary. It makes zero common sense. Are there better players then our young players mentioned? Yes but it’s a very low price starting line up with huge ROI Trade others on the roster who have not produced, trade unproven top 30 minor league but you don’t trade those guys. Makes no sense to do so.
Awesome pickup.. Fills the much needed RH bat we needed in our line-up.
The way I see it is the Yankees aren’t going to sign and pay LeMahieu 12mil/yr to be a bench player. He’s probably going to play 3B. Position wise it’ll probably mean Stanton back to the outfield and Andujar at DH. So your talking about (in no particular order) C-Sanchez 1B-Voit/Bird 2B-Torres 3B-LeMahieu. Ss-Tulo Rf-Judge Lf-Stanton CF-Hicks DH-Andujar. And if Tulo is a bust then they release him and put Andujar at 3B then put Torres at Ss and LeMahieu at 2B Then make more changes once or if Didi comes back.
The only way LeMahieu is playing third is when Andujar needs a day off. He’s played the position a few times over the years that justifies he could sub there but Yankees did not sign him for the purpose of third base. The team already officially stated he is a Super Utility Torres isn’t playing 3rd base either he will be at 2nd unless Tulo needs a day off where he shifts to short for that day.
Like a lot of people here, I am somewhat perplexed by this signing. On one hand, I think DJ would be a productive player due to his defense and hitting. His Coor’s Field splits are worrisome, but one thing is for sure: dude can handle the bat. IMO, Yankees have a lot of holes in that offense. Too many hits and miss and too dependent on the long ball. If DJ, who can handle the bat, is the player in that line up who can do the little things (move players over, stay out of the DP, or KO) then I think he can be a very good signing.
This signing raises some questions too,. What happens with Torres, Tulo, Didi, and Andujar? DJ plays second? You move Torres to SS? Where do you play Tulo? Where do you play Didi when he comes back? Follow my drift. So—> just perplexed.
It really isn’t that complicated. 1B Voit 2nd base Torres SS Tulo 3rd Base Andujar subbing at those positions is DJ Lemahieu which he will be getting plenty of playing time. If the Yankees are really smart they sign switch hit utility M Gonzalez hence bench is Gonzalez Romine DJ Lemahieu no wasted 2 first basement no waste of 5 outfielders all covered by DJ Lemahieu and Gonzalez who would each get lots of playing time and or cover pesky injuries that are sure to come up
I think Yankee fans are missing the point of over complicating Cashman’s acquisitions. Unless something drastically changes he is building the roster based on assuming Machado isn’t coming to New York. If he waited for Machado to make up his mind everybody available is gone and Yankees walk away with nobody.
How does Cashman know for sure what Machado is going to do?
Simple he doesn’t If Manny continues to wait then decides the White Sox or Philly by then everyone is off the board then what? The Yankees would really be screwed everybody will be upset all over again because all the choices signed elsewhere. Obviously the other free agents are not waiting for Machado to make up his mind they are signing.
If Cashman waits then Manny has him over the barrel sign him at any price Manny wants or Yankees walk away with nobody. Not a good position to be in hence Cashman is building like Manny isn’t here or end up here.. It’s smart business.
I think it’s just a nice rotation of good players that will happen Dj can play second or third. Andujar can play 3rd or dh. Torres can play as or 2nd. Voit and bird 1st and so on
They do not need 2 first basemen it’s a total waste of the bench depth. Far better served sign Marwin Gonzalez if they did no two first base or 5 outfielders needed so you have Voit no Bird no Frazier
We don’t need Marwin. He’s completely over rated and we have a left handed speed defense first prospect who should get that call to fill the last spot. Tyler Wade is a left handed bat and adds not only versatility, but high end defense and speed. Forget Marwin G.
Wade is a nice kid but he can’t hit a lick in MLB You like the defense no stick hey I bet you loved Sugar Shane Robinson didn’t you? You must have been upset when they DFA him? Wasn’t he all about defense speed no stick?
How many years are you going to go before you find Wade can’t hit MLB? I bet the farm you were pro Sonny Gray from day one and love him to have one more year. Would bet you are in Cessa’s camp too year 4 of finding out he can’t get through an inning.
I give a rookie a chance but it’s 1 2 3 strikes your’re out. These guys couldn’t even make the playoff roster. They did nothing but cause Yankee losses The definition of insanity is trying something over and over expecting different results.
No thanks I’ll take Marwin Gonzalez or even Scooter Gennett in a Sonny Gray starting package.. Unless rookies are going to come out of the gates like Torres Andujar Judge or Severino within a year or two they got to go,