Yankees relying $90 million infielder at third base ‘would be a disaster’

The New York Yankees have failed to add an impact third baseman yet this offseason. While they have brought in talent to fill holes elsewhere, they could be making a mistake by looking in-house for a third baseman.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman noted that the Yankees possibly hope D.J. LeMahieu gets healthy enough to take over third base. FanSided’s Thomas Carannante called the potential move a “disaster.”

“Yankees relying on DJ LeMahieu for anything in 2025 would be a disaster,” wrote Carannante.

He had a down year in 2023. However, he is under contract for the next two seasons after he signed a six-year, $90 million deal with the Yankees in 2021. The Yankees are not likely to find a trade partner willing to take on that contract. He has displayed great defensive versatility in his career but would be a negative for the Yankees offense.

“LeMahieu has been ravaged by injuries for four straight seasons now,” wrote Carannante. “After accumulating 8.6 WAR across 2019 and 2020 (195 games), the veteran has been worth just 4.8 over his last 478. All of 2022-2024 were shortened due to injuries, and his 2021 campaign featured 150 games of mediocre play as he was battling that hernia injury before being ruled out for the postseason and undergoing surgery.”

LeMahieu is a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover, two-time Silver Slugger and two-time batting champion. However, since 2021 he has played in 478 games and has a .698 OPS. He is no longer the payer he once was and the Yankees would be better off adding an impact third baseman. They could also add a second baseman and leave Jazz Chisholm Jr in the hot corner.

More MLB: Yankees could sign $25 million All-Star to round out stellar offseason