Why a DJ reprise in '25 wouldn't surprise Yanks

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NEW YORK -- The highlight of DJ LeMahieu’s otherwise forgettable 2024 season came on the final day of July, when the veteran infielder rolled back the clock by slugging a grand slam and driving in a career-high six runs in a Yankees rout of the Phillies.

As he spoke later that afternoon in the Citizens Bank Park visitors’ clubhouse, LeMahieu acknowledged in his typically understated style that the year had been “a tough go for me” -- something that would continue into the postseason, which he watched as an inactive player while recovering from a right hip impingement.

LeMahieu’s disappointing offensive performance -- including a career-low .204 batting average and .527 OPS in 67 games -- has the Yankees mulling other options as the 2025 season approaches, though manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman are also not ruling out a bounce-back for the 36-year-old.

“We’ll see,” Boone said. “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. Again, it comes down to health. It comes down to, can he maintain that health to allow him to put out his at-bat, his approach, his swing?

“I feel really good about where he was at the very end of the season physically. Now, can he maintain that and improve upon that in the winter and really put himself in the mix heading into Spring Training? I would never cross off a player of his caliber, even though it’s been obviously a tough couple of years.”

The Bronx Bombers will bring a rebuilt core into the new year as they look to defend their American League championship, with left-hander Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt highlighting their recent acquisitions.

Yet their infield remains unsettled, with second baseman Gleyber Torres departing to accept a one-year, $15 million pillow contract with the Tigers; Torres said he never received a formal offer from the Yankees, who seemed ready to move on by the end of the World Series.

That leaves Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s marching orders in flux. Though Boone said he would have no qualms about naming Chisholm the starting third baseman, the Yankees are also considering shifting Chisholm to second base and installing a more experienced third baseman.

The Yanks do not seem to be serious players for free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, whose most interested suitors have been reported to be the Blue Jays and Tigers. They were, however, seriously interested in Willy Adames, who came off the board earlier than expected this winter by signing a seven-year deal with the Giants.

Barring a trade, the Yankees’ in-house candidates for second and third base include LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, plus Andrew Velazquez, who recently returned to the organization after inking a Minor League deal with a spring invitation.

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If he can turn around his last few seasons of injuries and underperformance, LeMahieu would likely become the front-runner in that group. His health was a hot talking point early last spring before a bruised right foot began a cascade effect of issues.

“We started getting excited, like, ‘That’s the guy,’” Cashman recalled.

With two years and $30 million remaining on his contract, LeMahieu may receive another opportunity for the rebound that Boone and Cashman were hoping for.

“He’s a pro. He’s going to do everything in his power to be in a position to contribute,” Cashman said. “I guess it depends on how this winter plays out, what the opportunity actually is in the beginning. But even if we fill spots, it doesn’t mean those spots stay on the field because obviously this is a sport that injuries hit and create opportunities.

“I just know one thing: DJ LeMahieu is a pro. He’ll be entering Spring Training healthy. He obviously got a lot of medical care towards the end of the season, trying to put himself in a position to be considered for the postseason if a couple of things happened. He worked hard at it, and that continues this winter.”