IT'S TIME FOR THE YANKEES TO EXTEND DJ LEMAHIEU

DJ LeMahieu is locked in this summer. After recovering from COVID-19, the 32-year old has been making a difference for the Yankees. According to an NL scout, LeMahieu is smart because he can easily predict what a pitcher is about to throw. His numbers definitely back this statement up with a .431 bathing average and .479 on-base percentage.

“I feel pretty locked in right now, just part of a really good lineup and try to do my part to get on base,’’ LeMahieu said after a four-hit game Wednesday night from the leadoff spot. “If I get on base I feel like we are in good shape to score runs.’’

With how well LeMahieu is playing in just 18 games and his over .400 average, the Yankees need to keep him around in the future. After this season's World Series, he will be a free agent and I can tell you he will be in demand. 

“He is a special hitter, a guy who uses the whole field,’’ Boone said of LeMahieu. “He has pop, handles righties and lefties. He is a great hitter, tremendous bat-to-ball skills. He does a great job of laying the bat head in the zone for a really long time.’’

LeMahieu's first season for the Yankees is another reason they need to extend his contract. In 145 appearances he achieved .327/.375/.518 and a career-high 26 home runs and 102 RBIs. He was also an All-Star, Silver Slugger, and finished fourth in the AL MVP voting. All of this earned him the nickname "LeMachine." All of this just to improve in 2020. 

If you were not convinced enough already on why the Yankees need to resign him, he proves himself valuable by being a versatile player who can play numerous positions. He is a valuable leadoff hitter because he consistently gets on base. Brian Cashman also considers LeMahieu to be the "de facto" captain of the team and Ken Rosenthal said he would find is inconceivable that the team would let him walk.  

So Yankees, it is time to extend DJ LeMahieu's contract! It would be silly not to. 

--Missy O'Rourke

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @missy_orourke