MICHAEL KAY WEIGHS IN: "IF THEY GET LEMAHIEU, I THINK TANAKA IS GONE."

Source: Newsday

Drop the mic! As the bellowing of John Sterling rings in my head, "The sun will come out, Tanaka," I can't help but feel sort of sad that the Yankees' future will be without the guy they sought after several years ago in really one of the hottest hot stoves I can remember. But the reality is there; there is only so much cash to go around and the Yankees are reserving it for DJ LeMahieu.

Source: The New York Post

“If they get LeMahieu, it’s going to cost about $20 million (per season) and the days of Tanaka could be over. The Yankees will go with their young pitchers, or they could get somebody on a bargain-basement deal with all the free agents out there,”said Kay as reported by The New York Post.

COVID-19 has taken a toll on baseball, let alone the world. Economies are suffering. Fans are strapped for cash and out of work. And there is just not enough money to sign everyone. Even LeMahieu's price tag may be too much for the Yankees. 

According to Dodger Nation, "Could the Dodgers afford DJ? Sure, why not. But from the outside, it doesn’t seem likely that they would want to offer him a deal of any significant depth given the depth on the horizon. And if DJ is looking for more guaranteed dollars, the Yankees seem to be the best answer for him. Only time will tell."

The clock is ticking and fans are hoping that the Yankees can bring LeMahieu home for Christmas. It is going to be a grueling offseason, for all teams. We feel it here and we will feel it when other players are forced to go elsewhere. The truth is, it is a different time and a different world. And in this world, Tanaka and LeMahieu may have to go separate ways. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof