It’s been just two days since the Yankees officially released veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu, but that hasn’t stopped him from attempting to get back onto the field. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported earlier today that LeMahieu was looking to sign with a team to finish out the 2025 season, and has subsequently reported that multiple teams are showing interest in the veteran’s services. There’s no indication that a deal is close at this time and it’s unclear whether that interest is in adding LeMahieu on a big league deal or a minor league pact, but Morosi adds that LeMahieu being available before trade season picks up in earnest could work in his favor as he searches for a new club.
Just one day shy of his 37th birthday, LeMahieu’s numbers have been passable if unexciting this year. He slashed .266/.338/.336 (94 wRC+) with underlying metrics to match in 142 plate appearances across 45 games for the Yankees this year prior to his DFA while playing second base exclusively. His Fielding Run Value of 0 and Outs Above Average of -1 this season suggest his defense at the keystone is just a tick below average at this point in his career, though that’s a far cry from the Gold Glove caliber defense he was capable of in his younger days. Still, the combination of slightly below average offense and defense should be enough to make him an attractive candidate for a part-time or bench role with a team in need of help on the infield.
LeMahieu would be more attractive as a role player for a contending club if he was capable of providing substantial versatility, but there are questions about his ability to handle third base at this point in his career. As Bryan Hoch of MLB.com noted following the Yankees’ decision to part ways with the veteran, LeMahieu expressed during this past offseason concerns about his ability to handle the physical demands of third base and expressed a preference for remaining on the right side of the infield in 2025. Morosi suggested that LeMahieu would be best suited to play for a team that would be able to work him in at some combination of second base, first base, and DH, which could indicate that concerns about his ability to play the hot corner remain.
Given LeMahieu’s significant injury struggles in recent years, it would be understandable if he wasn’t a realistic third option at third at this point. On the other hand, manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Hoch) that LeMahieu had expressed a willingness to resume workouts at third base if the Yankees requested he return to the position. If LeMahieu can prove himself capable of handling third base, that would surely help his market. Teams like Cubs and Reds have players entrenched at second base currently but wide open playing time available at the hot corner. LeMahieu would surely be of interest to those clubs if he could handle occasional time at third base, but would not make nearly as much sense if he’s limited to the right side of the infield.
Even if LeMahieu remains unable to handle the hot corner, there should still be several teams that would benefit from his services. The Royals are currently relying on Nick Loftin at the keystone on a semi-regular basis, while Luis Rengifo might benefit from someone to help him shoulder the load at second for the Angels after a tough first half that’s left him as one of the least effective qualified hitters in baseball this year. The Astros, Giants, and A’s are among a handful of other clubs who have struggled to get production at second base this year, but each has recently installed new options at the position who could be preferable to LeMahieu: Houston has promoted top prospect Brice Matthews, while both West Sacramento’s temporary ball club has just welcomed Zack Gelof back from the injured list while San Francisco did the same with Casey Schmitt.
If any interested teams did advanced scouting on DJ, they’ve made up their minds already.
DJ is an oft-injured 37 year-old who can’t field a position anymore, and is too weak a hitter to be an effective DH. He should consider being a coach.
DJL. The long island Ducks are calling for you. Invite Billy McKinney to come with you
Clipp, it looked he was getting more flexible the more games he played at 2b. He started off like a plant (shoutout Jake Storiale) and seemed to be moving better of late. I think he definitely still has value.
That’s a good observation, Blooper. He may have been and that makes sense. For his sake, I hope he is. I wish DJ nothing but the best.
The Cubs (his original team), badly need bench help. He’d be an improvement over what Justin Turner has given them.
Far from a spring chicken but there are a lot of players not hitting.266 either. Signed to a major league contract before the teams are back from the break.
266 would look stellar on my rangers
angels. cut lamonte, then if rengifo is traded he stays on the bench when moore returns.
yall miss the part where hes been 10% worse than league average or what, thats far from unplayable age notwithstanding
A 100 WRC+ is league average. He is 94. That’s six percent worse, not 10%.
Regardless, he is useless in the field.
Useless aka league average
He looks like a statue on a ground ball to second.
Please say no Angels.
Stick a fork in him he’s done….
Here’s your big giant fork. Enjoy.
94 wRC+ would be a wet dream for so many active and floundering players that have seen a lot less success in their careers.
I wouldn’t say he’s done. Doubt there’s a single poster here that could do that. I can see him signing somewhere and helping a team , hopefully he’ll be able to exit the game on his own terms afterwards. Now that he’s no longer on the Yankees… I wish him well and at least the kind of post Bronx success that Aaron Hicks experienced.
Since 2021, 328 players have amassed at least 1,000 combined PA’s. D.J.’s .360 SLG% over that span ranks 295th out of those 328. If you narrow it to those who have amassed at least 1,500 combined PA’s over that span then he ranks 200th out of 210. He could potentially help someone, as he still gets on base at a decent pace….but his lack of power and defensive abilities will surely nix any thing he does beneficial at this point.
Broken record tine but he’s only viable for a team needing someone to fill in at 2nd and be a rarely used 1st base/Dh option. I think he’ll get a deal and I think he’ll get hurt/cut and go into forced retirement in 26. Nice guy, nice career, very little tread left on the tire.
Very low risk deal at major league minimum salary.
Sudden injuries could also open a door for a team looking for experience at minimum cost. Some intangibles aren’t measured on the field. I’m not comparing but look at Boston. Everyone is talking about Bregman’s leadership but I also look at Story who even when hurt brought so much to the table for the younger players. Who knows if he’s able to continue to produce but he’s been what the Sox needed with Devers being an immature child.
Giants. Seems like a Buster move
If you want it, you got it
If you want it, baby, you got it, just Buster move!
Total mariners type good depth piece really
Mariners need to get outvofvthe clearance aisle. They need to do better than this.
I agree with the presumably higher payroll how much more can Jerry spend? If they say he can spend add million more to the payroll he won’t get squat done. Here you have a high profile name the casual fan will know but know nothing about his woes. They will think this is a great pickup and Seattle is trying. Which is the reaction they are trying to get. Add a couple cheap pieces with names people know. I have hope ownership will spend money deep down I am not so sure. Could have the same feeling we had before the season.
Sorry that looks like a 3rd grader wrote it. My mind was in a couple different spots.
Please Mariners, don’t go near him.
Slowly step away from the DJ.
Yeah. He isn’t an improvement over Ben Williamson, Cole Young, or Dylan Moore even. DJLM is basically at the point where he has to choose if he wants playing time (and mentor time) on a rebuilding team, try to catch on in a minor role on a competitive team where he’ll potentially be in this same spot in a month or two, or play a ton of golf.
future Tecolote de los Dos Laredos
Someday we will all look back at this article and realize it barely needed to be written.
But to satisfy curiosity.
And provide a full round of silly comments on a topic all mlbtr commenters agree on.
Celebrate. DJLM is toast.
What is the sound of one hand clapping ?
This made me laugh way too much. I very much doubt there is more than one team interested. The Rockies probably are and that’s it. And they don’t even count
Cubs need him
Cubs front office is brain dead
They needed him years ago but they traded him.
No thank you. Cubs can fine with Shaw at 3B, growing pains and all. DJ is cooked, enjoy retirement.
Ryder
At first I read this post to suggest that the Cubs should get DJL to work in their front office as an advisor. If that is the suggestion, I do not know DJL well enough to have an opinion. If the post suggests that the Cubs should add DJL as a player, then I would disagree.
A front office plan might make sense. A team like Washington who should be selling pieces soon, could bring him in to fill a position and mentor young players, and when he’s officially ready to retire from playing work him into a coaching role.
These reports are ridiculous. Nobody is interested in dj lamehieu.
Sign with the Rockies, enjoy Denver, and end your career there teaching them how to play.
The Rockies aren’t brutal enough to watch already?
I prefer a live band. Maybe the Who. At first.
Astros, then Angels, then rox
RH bat not needed in Houston. Fast forward to Angels.
The Astros already have tons of right handed hitting people who can play second base and hit slightly below the league average (especially when Brendan Rodgers returns).
I’m sure Arte Moreno and Perry Minasian are all over him
Heard they’re making Wayne Randazzo Director of Major League scouting.
lol
Rockies only have Michael Toglia at first base, and they love their veterans…
He’s a limited player nearing the end of his career, but he’s still slightly to replacement level, he’s smart, and he’s cheap. If you’ve got a medium-term opening because of injury at a position he can play and you don’t have someone ready in the minors–or prefer not to take a younger talent and start his service clock or blow an option year, you have to at least take a look. You can DFA him any time at very light cost. He’ll get picked up, he’ll play, and he’s probably got a tiny bit left in the tank
Rockies on line 1.
I suppose there’s no downside in trying to play through the rest of the deal and set himself up for some kind of seven or eight figure contract after 2026, but I also see nothing wrong with walking away now, collecting the final $22.5M or whatever is left on his deal and retire early, take some time off with his family, recuperate from the grind of playing and then coming back as a coach or front office guy, if he doesn’t just move on from the game.
Come to the Angels.
These reports are fabricated just to assuage his ego.
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
All of these are. Most players can’t hit the broad side of a barn.
Giants..Schmitt revival not going well.
Giant
DJL versus Schmidt, Fitzgerald, Wisely and Luciano, I doubt it.
DJL totally seems like a Giants player, but Schmitt’s mojo is much better
I’d be on board with a Cubs reunion. He’d have to try very hard to be less useful than Jon Berti or Bidal Brujan.
The two current Cubs players you mentioned carry leather for many positions and can swipe a bag or two. DJ is more limited than Turner. The bench is four players. That’s it. Can you imagine your bench being a backup catcher, Turner,DJLM, and one other player, that player the only one capable of playing the other five positions on the field.
Cubs need pitching not position players.
Need both. And they need the Brewers to cool off. Right now, the Brewers seem able to dial up a game-winning rally pretty much whenever they need one.
Brewers have a versatile team…..starting pitching is strong with Woodruff back. Go Brew Crew!
Disagree re/Berti. He at least can steal bases. And though Brujan is bad and should go, the last thing the Cubs need is a guy who can’t play third.
He’s basically free sans the prorated league minimum so why not? Probably has Dodgers written all over him…
one last squeeze to get the final drops of juice out. effectively free (esp when in light of their deep pockets) very Dodgers move. just announce it LA.
Could the Astros use him? I would think it’s once he clears waivers. They need a 1B who can hit but not play all the time.
Nope. If they wanted 1B help they would bring John Singleton back up from the minors before they sign LeMahieu. Also Dana Brown said he is shopping left-handed bats
He would be an improvement over Luke Williams. But the Braves need pitching more than a bat.
Seems like a lock for The Blue Jays and their second half journey to the playoffs
The Jays have Davis Schneider to play crappy 2B defense and be the right side of a platoon.
Plus they have Gimenez, Wagner, Jimenez, and Clement who play 2B along with other positions
I remember when many Yankee fans and trolls who hate the Yankees on here wanted Luis Rengifo last season and would trade top prospects for him? I’m guessing that they won’t admit it now…
I have a long time belief that a veteran player is always a positive for teams with younger players. Especially if the team is not going anywhere that season. Rockies, A’s, White Sox, to name a few could benefit from the knowledge of DJ.
Don’t the Red Sox still need a first baseman? They should bring him in. NYY paying for their 1B would go a long way towards stoking what was once a rivalry of great fun. I feel like the owners on both sides ruined it for us all.
Morosi. More like moroni. Amirite?
With so many incompetent teams, he would only be an improvement
Any club that needs a singles machine should add Lamahieu. He hit 10 singles in his last 29 AB’s and 7 in his last 15 ABs. In June he hit .278 w 3 dbls and 1 hr + 7 BBs for a .349 obp. He was actually improving at the plate for each of his last 6 wks. No wonder he was seriously chafed about being let go. And they haven’t played any better since. In fact their defensive play has gotten WORSE.They’ve added McMahon now but that’s not going to make a huge difference. In fact the Yanks are not likely to add the guys they need for serious run at a ring. The guys they need were traded away….Durbin, Cortes, King and Vazquez. And that’s part of the problem of letting Lamahieu go. He might’ve been less rangy at 2B. But he still has very sure hands and makes his throws. And the way he was hitting he’d likely score more than enough runs to make up for any defensive shortcomings. Ultimately they were probably better off keeping him. Instead they’ll probably end up trading away what limited young talent they have to acquire players who will niether win a championship or stick with club for very long. All in all, another big fat waste from a GM who always comes up a day late and a dollar short of a championship club.