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Boone: LeMahieu Will Be Yankees’ Third Baseman In 2024

By Steve Adams | December 6, 2023 at 10:26am CDT

As trade rumblings surrounding star Padres outfielder Juan Soto and the Yankees look to be nearing a tipping point, there’s other significant news in the Bronx as well. Manager Aaron Boone announced at the Winter Meetings this morning that veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu will line up as the team’s primary third baseman next season (link via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch). Boone indicated yesterday that an outside acquisition at third base wasn’t likely, as the team felt covered with internal options. Today’s statement is a more forceful declaration of that likelihood.

LeMahieu, 35, is entering the fourth season of a six-year $90MM contract. He’s bounced around the diamond since originally arriving in New York in the 2018-19 offseason, spending considerable time at every infield position other than shortstop. Third base was his primary position in 2023, however, as he logged nearly 600 innings there and turned in a sound defensive effort in the eyes of Defensive Runs Saved (3), Ultimate Zone Rating (3.2) and Outs Above Average (3).

The remainder of the Yankees’ infield looks largely set. Anthony Rizzo will return to man first base, while Gleyber Torres is entering his final arbitration season and lined up as the primary second baseman. Anthony Volpe had an up-and-down rookie season at shortstop, ultimately putting together a 20-20 season with good defense but an underwhelming .209/.283/.383 batting line on the whole. Prospect Oswald Peraza gives the Yankees some additional depth at any position other than first base, but with no clear path to a starting role at present, he could open the season in a utility role, covering multiple spots on the diamond and spelling the regulars. (Peraza is out of minor league options and thus cannot be sent to Triple-A.) The versatility offered by both Peraza and LeMahieu would allow the Yankees to rather seamlessly cover an absence anywhere in the infield.

The 2023 season wasn’t LeMahieu’s best at the plate — far from it — but he still turned in a roughly average (by measure of wRC+) .243/.327/.390 batting line with 15 home runs, 22 doubles and three triples. The veteran infielder walked at a strong 10.7% clip, the second-highest mark of his career, but also fanned at a career-worst 22.2%. LeMahieu didn’t expand the zone any more than he did in seasons prior — he actually improved his chase rate from 2022 to 2023 — but his contact rate on both strikes and balls off the plate dipped.

LeMahieu entered the 2023 season with a lifetime 92.7% contact rate on swings at pitches in the zone but saw that number drop to 89.8% last year. His contact rate on the relatively rare chases off the plate was more concerning; LeMahieu entered 2023 with a career 76.1% contact rate on balls off the plate (including a nearly 80% mark from 2020-22) but made contact on just 70.2% of such offerings last year. He remained productive against fastballs (four-seamers and sinkers alike) but saw his numbers against opponents’ sliders, sweepers and cutters take a big hit. Time will tell whether that’s the beginning of a more alarming trend or simply a one-year aberration.

With regard to the remainder of the offseason, LeMahieu’s formal anointment as the Yankees’ everyday third baseman is of note. The Yankees already acquired Alex Verdugo from the archrival Red Sox and are ostensibly deep in talks for the aforementioned Soto. That would constitute a major revamp of the outfield alignment, but it seems there’ll be more continuity in the infield. Torres has been floated as a possible trade candidate at various points, and Peraza’s presence could embolden the Yankees to make some kind of move if the right opportunity presented itself. But Torres was also the team’s second-best hitter behind Judge this past season, and the Yankees would surely only swap him out if it meant acquiring immediate MLB help elsewhere (be it in the rotation, behind the plate or possibly in the ’pen).

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New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo Anthony Volpe DJ LeMahieu Gleyber Torres Oswald Peraza

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Post a Comment

45 Comments

  1. Mama Said Tanaka-You Out

    2 years ago

    Not 100% sure, but I don’t think Peraza has any options remaining? could be wrong…

    2
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      2 years ago

      You’re correct. Sorry about that. I updated the post. I mistakenly checked Oswaldo Cabrera’s remaining options as opposed to Peraza’s. Appreciate you pointing it out.

      10
      Reply
      • Mama Said Tanaka-You Out

        2 years ago

        Saving this as proof to my wife I can, in fact, be correct every now and then

        13
        Reply
        • oscar gamble

          2 years ago

          @Mama Said: As a guy who’s been married 38 years l actually laughed out loud at your comment.

          Reply
  2. batteryoutlet

    2 years ago

    the hot stove keeps getting hotter

    Reply
  3. Catuli Carl

    2 years ago

    We need a live chat soon. Feel like it’s been forever.

    5
    Reply
  4. Wagner>Cobb

    2 years ago

    Makes sense. He’s a good enough hitter to be able to bounce back somewhat. Plus, he’s making too much money to be a utility player for this team, especially if they’re adding Soto.

    2
    Reply
    • LeapingLenny

      2 years ago

      Will he stay healthy? And the arm issues he had in the past- they don’t tend to age well.

      Reply
    • PoisonedPens

      2 years ago

      LeMahieu is now what he has been for the past few seasons. 12 HR and 50 RBis doesn’t cut it from a full time corner infielder in the AL East. He will be the lowest rated 3B in the division. And the numbers say he’s not likely to have a bounce back from three years of decline at age 35.

      4
      Reply
      • Wagner>Cobb

        2 years ago

        Obviously he’s not going to hit at an all star level. But, assuming a probably step forward from Volpe, continued production from Gleyber, and the addition of Soto to the lineup, you don’t need 3B to be a huge bat. You just need league average production.

        2
        Reply
        • LeapingLenny

          2 years ago

          And his recent arm/throwing issues? He found an anti-aging secret formula?
          With not nearly as good of a glove, he will hit for a higher BA than Donaldson did with less power. Best days are behind him.

          Reply
        • Wagner>Cobb

          2 years ago

          I don’t have any comment on his arm. Obviously the team isn’t worried about it. And if he’s abysmal, they have young internal options who have struggled but still have upside.

          Reply
        • ctguy

          2 years ago

          This nonsense about his arm is not going to be an issue for the Yankees. If he has any arm problems they can put Peraza there.

          1
          Reply
  5. Salzilla

    2 years ago

    I’m fine with saying the starting IF is set, though, it’s not great. Rizzo and DJ have both declined, but kinda stuck with them for now. The IF will need to be revamped next season with Rizzo a free agent. If DJ doesn’t bounce back, they’ll to do something at both corners, too. Volpe still needs to round out, but the 20/20 was promising, and count me amongst the few that thinks they need to extend Gleyber.

    2
    Reply
    • Mrivers

      2 years ago

      Volpe is a ?. Can he develop better hitting skills?
      Agree on Torres extension, but it’s a moot discussion. This Yanks management doesn’t extend.

      Reply
  6. LeapingLenny

    2 years ago

    Third base is a POWER position. We didn’t get much from Rizzo at 1B.
    Plus DJL had arm issues and missed time recently. Isn’t getting any younger. Or any better. Peraza has shown NO power at all in his brief time there.
    So the corner infield spots will be manned by guys past their prime.
    Typically.

    3
    Reply
    • Big Hurt

      2 years ago

      Yeah Lenny – sounds like you’re saying that this isn’t a great move? If so, I’d agree. .375 Slg over the last 3 years, 34 yo and not great defensively at 3b, so a bit odd to lock him in this early. I guess if you get big production at the other positions and he hits .300 again then could end up fine?

      2
      Reply
      • LeapingLenny

        2 years ago

        If ‘if’s ands or buts were cherries and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas’ as they used to say. (Who is they?- lol)
        We got good power from SS and 2B last season but if power is lacking again at the corners we will again struggle to score runs.

        Reply
    • walterpatrick

      2 years ago

      Rizzo was hurt half the year, I wouldn’t count him out as any kind of a power source. Even a repeat of last year from DJ is still leaps and bounds from the previous 2 seasons of Donaldson. If they get Soto and another starting pitcher to presumably replace King, there is no money left to upgrade 3rd base.

      Reply
      • Big Hurt

        2 years ago

        Walter – you’ve set that bar (better than Donaldson in 22/23) so low an ant couldn’t get under it.

        1
        Reply
    • mlb fan

      2 years ago

      The Yankees wrote the book on expensive, declining “past their prime” superstars.

      1
      Reply
    • Wagner>Cobb

      2 years ago

      Logically, you don’t need power at 3B if you’re getting power from a non-power position like SS. Volpe apparently has 20-25 homer power, if not more. And they power you might lose at 1B with Rizzo you get back with power from Torres at 2B. It balances out.

      1
      Reply
  7. nailz#4life

    2 years ago

    Verdugo will be part of the Soto Trade now, since he won’t tell any secrets about the Red Sox to the Yanks

    3
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      2 years ago

      I’d bet he’d tell them anything they wanted to know and then some. Him and Cora ain’t exactly besties.

      2
      Reply
      • SODOMOJO

        2 years ago

        Great pickup for you guys, I love Doogy in that ballpark. You guys scored

        Reply
        • Joe says...

          2 years ago

          I’m wondering if he ever suits up for the Yankees though I like him as well. If the Soto trade goes through, I kinda expect him to be headed to SD.

          2
          Reply
  8. YanksPhan42

    2 years ago

    Many sports writers….. “Yankees in on Chapman. He’ll be a huge upgrade”!!

    WHY??????

    Chapman .240/.330 17 homers 165 strikeouts
    DJ .243/.324 15 homers 125 strikeouts

    Chapman won the GG. DJ won one the year before. Both are righty hitters too.

    Yeah, I’m paying 100+mill for that when I already have DJ.

    3
    Reply
    • Old York

      2 years ago

      @YanksPhan42

      Chapman’s another overrated player that should be in AAA.

      Reply
      • Tigers3232

        2 years ago

        7 seasons, 4 Gold Gloves and 2 Platinum Gloves. In no way should he be in AAA.

        2
        Reply
        • SODOMOJO

          2 years ago

          He’s just a streaky hitter. Among the streakiest. The good news is he goes ham when he’s hot. He’ll be one of the best hitters in baseball for a couple weeks at a time.

          But he’s one of the best defenders in baseball, you put up with the rough stretches and bat him 8-9.

          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          2 years ago

          At his worst he’s and avg hitting 3B at his best he’s pretty good. That’s tolerable in the right lineup with how much value he provides defensively

          Reply
  9. Frankie Bani

    2 years ago

    I would like to see the lineup with Stanton #8 and Rizzo #9

    Reply
  10. Ignorant Son-of-a-b

    2 years ago

    If the Yankees are in on Soto, are they out on Bellinger??

    Reply
    • Dogleg62

      2 years ago

      I would say yes. The Yanks had a chance last year to sign Bellinger on a similar 1-year deal like the Cubs did, but balked then. So, not signing him now for a 7+ year deal for more money when he’s still (possibly) a question mark. Soto is younger and has been more consistent at the plate.

      1
      Reply
  11. RichP

    2 years ago

    The Yankees have too many bad contracts along with aging players. This going to be another long season while competing against younger more youthful teams in the East.

    2
    Reply
  12. slydevil

    2 years ago

    Donaldson is available. Twins will also send someone their way if they cover all the money plus some players.

    2
    Reply
  13. BaseballClassic1985

    2 years ago

    No issues with DJ being the 3rd baseman. If they get Soto and Yamamoto, along with the addition of quality hitter Verdugo, this team is a WS contender. Just hope they can get Soto without giving up King.

    1
    Reply
  14. Mikenmn

    2 years ago

    Excitement abounds here. DJ to stay. at third.

    Reply
  15. YankeesBleacherCreature

    2 years ago

    Hopefully the ’24 thirdbase won’t be the ’23 leftfield.

    Reply
  16. KyleT

    2 years ago

    Totally unrelated to baseball:
    Im clicking on LeMahieu ABs over at Baseball Savant, just for some sampling.

    The first one I click on the television announcer is raving about Taylor Swift, ffs. Can we find a way to separate sports and Pop Icons.

    baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=a304f4…

    Reply
  17. dennymagnet

    2 years ago

    Hmm I believe Boone when he says DJ will start at 3B, but please tell me why Boone will be the coach.
    Honestly somebody explain that one.
    Thanks
    Ps Bellinger will be a Yankee

    Reply
  18. dasit

    2 years ago

    he was hurt the first half of the season. second half power stats are acceptable for a third baseman

    Reply
    • 178iq

      2 years ago

      Not acceptable for a 2 time batting champion with power. Now a .230 hitter with no pop.

      Reply
  19. DMiles5149

    2 years ago

    He’s the Yanks only good postseason hitter it seems so you have to give him a chance to get right.

    Reply
  20. 178iq

    2 years ago

    Too bad he can’t hit anymore. Great fielder though. remember, only 2 players hit above .260 last season. The majority hit under .200. They have no chance of signing anyone. No one wants to be in a line up that changes 162 times a season. No one wants to shave either. So they are going to have to trade for players. Then lose them.

    Reply

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