DJ had such a great year with the Yankees in '19 and me, being such a fan was looking for so much more this season. I wanted DJ to be so damn good, that it would make it hard for the Yankees to not want to offer him a big contract when he became a free agent. I think this guy is tops. He works hard, puts up terrific numbers, and I wanted him to prove to everyone that 2019 was no fluke... it is how DJ plays and I wanted to keep him in pinstripes for a long time after that.
But with 2020 not happening and COVID19 just hanging around, the season will either be shortened, or not happen at all, and then what? What will happen with DJ LeMahieu?
The New York Post's George King writes:
"LeMahieu in an email exchange with The Post. “Hopefully we can get out there on the field soon and play as many games as possible this season. I think it would be a huge boost for New York and our country.’’
Whether the 2020 season is played or not, LeMahieu will become a free agent in a climate unlike anything the game has ever seen. The COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to cause clubs to hemorrhage money and that will surely impact what dollars are available for free agents. Add to that if a season is played it will be a lot shorter than the normal 162 games. How will clubs evaluate players in such a condensed timeframe?
And if there isn’t a season what does that do for any evaluation? During spring training, LeMahieu told The Post’s Ken Davidoff, “Obviously I love it here’’ and said he was open to talking to the front office about staying in The Bronx."
But not playing now obviously changes his opportunity to make more money and have a bigger contract with more years in New York than not. And that's what sucks. I mean this is a guy that stuck around in Tampa for a while when the shut downs started to happen. This is a guy that has an incredible work ethic, was trying to continue to workout for the Yankees, even though much of the complex was shut down.
“I’ve stayed in Tampa. There was a period for a few weeks where I had to get creative when the [George M. Steinbrenner Field] wasn’t open. But for a good portion of time I have been able to work out at the complex in the mornings,’’ LeMahieu wrote.
“I’ve been hitting outside a few days a week. The other days I’ve been getting work in in the cage and working out. We have a good group down here and we are doing our best to make the most of our time.’’
Look, I hope this guy comes back after the 2020 season. We need him in the Bronx. He's a gamer, a table setter, a solid player in the lineup and for sure, not a liability.
He has become a fan favorite because of his dependability and his ability to come through in the clutch, which unfortunately not all our players possess. I think it would be a huge mistake to let him get away. One that could well come back to haunt the Yankees.
ReplyDeleteDJ is consistent. We can afford him. Keep DJ!
ReplyDeleteFurious when the Rockles let him go. Hope he remains a Yankee.
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