It’s the end of the line in pinstripes for DJ LeMahieu. The New York Yankees have designated the veteran infielder for assignment, per multiple reports, including ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. The move clears a roster spot for infielder Jorbit Vivas, who’s been recalled in the corresponding transaction.
The DFA comes after a sharp decline in production that left the Yankees with few options but to cut ties.
From MVP Caliber to Roster Casualty
LeMahieu was once the Yankees’ quiet engine. A reliable, clutch hitter with positional flexibility, he inked a two-year, $24 million deal in 2019 and delivered in spades, slashing .336/.386/.536 over 195 games, good for a monster 146 wRC+.
He was everything New York needed and more, bouncing seamlessly between first, second, and third base. That performance earned him a six-year, $90 million extension — a deal that, in hindsight, aged faster than the player himself.
Since that peak, the decline has been hard to ignore. His 2021 numbers fell to just above league average. By 2023, injuries — including a foot contusion and hip issues — limited him to 67 games and a dismal .204/.269/.259 line.
This season, after starting the year on the IL with a calf strain, LeMahieu returned only to post a modest .266/.338/.336 line — a 95 wRC+, below league average.
Physically Limited, Yankees Roster Squeezed
The Yankees tried to give him a shot at reclaiming second base after moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third, but the experiment didn’t stick. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Chisholm would shift back to second, and LeMahieu wasn’t in the mix for third base due to the physical demands — something GM Brian Cashman said LeMahieu flagged during the offseason.
That left DJ as a bench player without the versatility or bat to justify the role. With younger, more athletic options and the trade deadline looming, the writing was on the wall.
Big Contract, Small Market
The Yankees are still on the hook for roughly $22 million through the end of 2026, but no club is expected to claim that contract on waivers. LeMahieu is likely to hit free agency in the coming days. He has enough service time to reject a minor league assignment.
Any team interested would only owe him the league minimum, prorated — a drop in the bucket compared to what New York’s paying. Realistically, LeMahieu’s next opportunity may come via a minor league deal, given his recent performance and health concerns.
What Comes Next For the Yankees?
For now, the Yankees will patch third base with a mix of Vivas, Oswald Peraza, and — oddly — backup catcher J.C. Escarra, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. But with the July 31 deadline approaching, expect GM Brian Cashman to add a more established third baseman. The Yankees have been linked to names like Ryan McMahon and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
LeMahieu was a once-reliable cornerstone, but now finds himself looking for a lifeline. It’s a tough ending to what once looked like a long-term staple in the Yankees’ infield.
