With Gleyber Torres now with the Detroit Tigers, the New York Yankees are still seeking infield help. Amid rumors surrounding potential acquisitions of Gavin Lux and Luis Arraez, manager Aaron Boone has expressed confidence in his veteran second baseman, DJ LeMahieu.
LeMahieu, who struggled in 2024 with just 67 games played, posted a disappointing 51 OPS+ and a -1.6 bWAR. His performance has significantly declined since his 2020 American League batting title, with only one season since then that featured an above-average OPS+.
Boone remains optimistic about LeMahieu’s potential, noting, “He got a lot healthier by the end of the season. He was working, so I’m still not going to be surprised if DJ hits on some level for us.” He continued, stressing that LeMahieu’s success hinges on staying healthy and being able to maintain his approach at the plate.
- DJ LeMahieu
However, at 36 years old and with recent struggles, it’s hard for many fans to place their trust in him. The Yankees are locked into his $15 million per year contract for two more seasons, which means Boone’s optimism may be little more than hopeful thinking.
Despite the challenges, Boone remains positive about LeMahieu’s physical progress, saying, “I feel really good about where he was at the very end of the season physically.” He also emphasized the importance of LeMahieu maintaining and improving that progress in the off-season to be ready for Spring Training. While it’s been a tough few years, Boone isn’t ready to give up on a player of LeMahieu’s caliber.
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