Reports: Yankees sign LeMahieu to take top FA infielder off board originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The New York Yankees have signed two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu to a six-year, $90 million deal that will keep him in the Bronx through his age-37 season, according to multiple reports.
LeMahieu was the top free agent infielder available on the market, a player the Nationals reportedly inquired about earlier this offseason as they searched for an upgrade at third base. The 10-year veteran has logged significant innings as first, second and third base throughout his career and as a result could’ve fit in nearly any lineup across the majors.
Instead, he’s headed back to the Yankees, with whom he’s won back-to-back Silver Sluggers since joining them during his first taste of free agency prior to the 2019 season. New York will likely keep him at his natural position of second base, keeping Gleyber Torres over at shortstop despite questions about his defense while Luke Voit (first base) and Gio Urshela (third) round out the rest of the infield.
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The LeMahieu deal could provide a jumpstart for the infield market, which has been slow to develop particularly for third basemen. He was the clear-cut top free agent infielder available, which leaves players such as Marcus Semien, Didi Gregorius, Justin Turner and Tommy La Stella headlining the next tier down. With spring training only a month away, those players will hope that teams crack into the free agent market a bit more before finalizing their rosters ahead of camp.
LeMahieu’s six-year deal represents the largest free-agent commitment made by any team so far this offseason, eclipsing the four-year contracts signed by catcher James McCann (Mets) and Japanese shortstop Ha-seong Kim (Padres). Fellow top free agents George Springer, Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto and Trevor Bauer are all still available.
Washington has made a few splashes this offseason, dealing two prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates for first baseman Josh Bell and signing outfielder Kyle Schwarber to a one-year deal. However, the team still has several roster holes to fill including an infielder, No. 4 starter, left-handed reliever and backup catcher.
