“At some point DJ LeMahieu is going to be a DFA candidate” - MLB analyst opens up on veteran slugger’s slumping season as Yankees challenges continue
New York Yankees slugger DJ LeMahieu has struggled to get the ball rolling this season. He started the year on the IL with a non-displaced bone fracture in his right foot, which took some time to heal.
Through 42 games, the veteran has hit .179/.275/.224 with one home run and 12 runs batted in. He has become a liability for the club at the plate in what looks to be a contending season.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman discussed the slugger's slump on Around the Bases with Ryan Sampson. He believes that if something does not change soon, LeMahieu could become a DFA option:
"At some point, I think [DJ] LeMahieu is going to be a DFA candidate. They are certainly trying to avoid that, giving him chances and hes's solid defensively, but, I mean, you can't have a guy not hitting at all."
While he has been solid at third base, that is not enough to keep him in the starting lineup. LeMahieu needs to start hitting the ball, and soon, but he is not the only one. Heyman said:
"Verdugo is not hitting, and certainly they are going to give him some rope, but you might have to look at replacing left field too."
Heyman also pointed out Alex Verdugo is in the middle of a slump as well. Over his last five games, the slugger is hitting just 2-for-16, which is quite concerning given how he opened up the season.
DJ LeMahieu's playing time could be cut if the Yankees stay focused ahead of the trade deadline
It has been reported that the Yankees are seriously looking to upgrade at third base with the trade deadline approaching. If they do, this could cut DJ LeMahieu's playing time severely.
One player that the team has been tied to is Chicago White Sox slugger Paul DeJong. He is a versatile player with experience playing third base, shortstop, and second base.
Another third baseman whose name has popped up increasingly over the last few days is Yandy Diaz. The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly interested in seeing what they can get for the slugger.
Diaz would certainly be an upgrade in the Bronx. Through 94 games, he has hit .273/.329/.396 with eight home runs and 46 runs batted in. However, he would be a name that many teams would be interested in, so the Yanks would have to make a great offer.