DJ LeMahieu has proven that he can hit anytime, anywhere, against any pitcher, no matter the stats. So, clearly the Yankees had no second thoughts in issuing a qualifying offer for the superstar infielder. However, word on the street is the LeMahieu may just want to test the waters of free agency and decline the Yankees offer. Okay, you can breathe. Let's take a look at some additional information before we get too upset.
"The ever-steady, unshiftable LeMahieu has proven he can rack up hits anywhere. While his age is a bit of a concern at 32, LeMahieu's track record (including his second career batting title in 2020) suggests that he is likely to decline the Yankees' qualifying offer and test the open market," reported MLB News.
As our Bleeding Yankee Blue leader stated in a piece entitled LET'S SHOW SOME LOYALTY & HELP LEMAHIEU FINISH HIS CAREER IN THE BRONX earlier this weekend, "I'm hear to calm everyone. SIX years. I'm telling you...we give him 6 and reexamine it at the end. Why? Well, we will continue to see .300 plus seasons, we will continue to have versatility in the field and we can continue to put him in our lead off spot and know that he's going to get on base so our big boppers can knock him in. That's what you want in a leader, a hitter, a dude with a high OBP. And that's what you do when you're loyal... you flaunt that and subliminally say to the rest of the league, "This is our guy, he gets it done." I have to agree completely, but maybe LeMahieu wants something more as he heads into the latter part of his career.
"MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wonders if the AL MVP Award finalist might return to where he put himself on the map: Colorado. The Rockies could certainly use LeMahieu's bat in the lineup, not to mention his presence in a familiar clubhouse. And the Yankees could be looking to slash payroll after significant financial losses in 2020," MLB News.
I say absolutely not. Why would he want to go back there? He has had more success outside the state of Colorado, which may have hindered his ability to hit with the thick atmosphere and lack of fan support, at least it is no comparison to the love affair the Bronx has for him and all of the Bombers. And he turned down other opportunities to play for Yankees when he was originally signed as a part-time utility player back in 2019.
"LeMahieu could have chose one of the other teams interested in offering him their second base role, but the Yankee interest was very mutual. LeMahieu was given a portfolio of teams by Wolfe, but he made sure to let the agency know the Yankees were the first team on his list," reported SNY back in April 2019.
Will the Yankees have to open bigger pockets? Likely. Will they have to forgo another hot shot pitcher on the free agency list in order to keep LeMahieu. Likely. I believe that Brian Cashman has no intention in letting his MVP infielder go somewhere else. And perhaps the pitching and catching prospects will improve with the new affiliates the Yankees just picked up. Or the Yankees will find another diamond in the rough like they did LeMahieu to pitch and catch for us. Either way, LeMahieu stays a Yankee in 2021 and we will know for how much sometime later this week when the qualifying offer expires on November 11th.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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