Report: LeMahieu re-signing with the Yankees isn’t foregone conclusion originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The “strong market” that’s developed for free agent infielder DJ LeMahieu has made a potential return to the New York Yankees no guarantee, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Monday.
According to Passan, the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and others are interested in signing LeMahieu fresh off him finishing third in AL MVP voting. The Yankees are still considered the favorites to sign him this winter, but they also have holes in the rotation and want to remain below the luxury tax threshold for 2021.
LeMahieu, 32, won his second career batting title last season with a .364 average over 50 games while hitting 10 home runs and posting an AL-best 1.011 OPS. His ability to play above-average defense at first, second and third base makes him a fit for almost every club in the majors, though only the ones willing to open up the checkbook for a player into his 30s will be able to secure his services.
The Nationals were linked as potential suitors for LeMahieu earlier this offseason, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that they’re more likely to “spread the money around” rather than go all-in on one free agent. Washington has notable holes at first base, right field, the rotation and the bullpen following the departures of Howie Kendrick, Adam Eaton, Aníbal Sánchez and Sean Doolittle, among others.
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In need of a second baseman during the 2018-19 offseason, the Nationals originally kicked the tires on LeMahieu before pivoting to the cheaper Brian Dozier later in the winter. There’s interest from within their roster, too: Star outfielder Juan Soto has spent this offseason lobbying for the Nationals to sign top free agents, LeMahieu included.
With the Winter Meetings getting underway Monday — albeit in a virtual format — there’s a chance MLB’s slow-moving offseason begins to pick up this week. LeMahieu is one of the top free agents available and, with no return to the Bronx guaranteed, his market will be one for Washington to keep a close eye on.
