Why DJ LeMahieu is key to the Yankees success

When the Yankees inked DJ LeMahieu to a six-year, $90 million contract after the 2020 season, it was due in part to the fact that they couldn’t envision their lineup without him. Fast forward two years into the deal and the Bombers have gotten a pretty good look at what life without LeMahieu is like in their most crucial moments.

The 34-year-old has not appeared in a postseason game since he signed his new contract despite the Yanks making it to October in both seasons. In 2021, he missed the AL Wild Card game against the Boston Red Sox with a core injury and missed the entirety of their 2022 run to the ALCS due to his toe — which still has its question marks yet it seems likely that he will avoid surgery.

It’s no secret that Brian Cashman and company are seeking ways to improve their lineup after being decimated by the Houston Astros for the third time in six seasons. However, sustained improvements begin with LeMahieu reclaiming his 2019-20 form.

The utility man slashed .265/.353/.368 between 2021 and 2022, quite the contrast to his .336/.386/.536 line from 2019 to 2020 that earned him that long-term contract. The three-time All-Star attempted to play through both of his previous two injuries taking a massive toll on his statistics. His production prior to his toe flaring up in 2022 made him arguably the best hitter in pinstripes not named Aaron Judge.

LeMahieu was producing at a .292/.394/.431 slash line with 11 homers through 95 games on Aug. 2. From Aug. 3 to Oct. 5 he posted .167/.238/.211 in 30 games, missing a majority of September. It’s unlikely a coincidence that the Bombers were on top of the world in July chasing the ‘98 Yankees’ win record and then collapsed in August playing to a 10-18 record.

On the whole, the Yankees ranked near the top in virtually every regular season offensive category — outside of batting average. They ranked fourth in team OPS (.751), second in runs (807) and first in homers (254) with LeMahieu playing a massive role owning the second-highest on-base percentage on the roster. His .357 OBP would’ve ranked as the third-best amongst Yankees in the postseason who as a team slashed .173/.255/.324 in nine playoff games registering the third-lowest OPS amongst all 12 teams.

With options to improve offensively being scarce on both the trade and free agency market, the Bombers have to bet on what they have internally. And LeMahieu — who turns 35 in July — is their best bet to change the dynamic of their swing-and-miss heavy lineup displayed in October. With four years remaining on his contract at $15 million AAV, it’s crucial for Aaron Boone to find an everyday role for the veteran — amidst their infield logjam — especially with his club’s lack of bat-to-ball skills and absence of a true leadoff hitter.

LeMahieu led off in 89 of his 125 games played last season, the only question is where is he finding time on the field? Cashman has sworn up and down that Josh Donaldson is the Yankees’ starting third basemen entering the season and with Gleyber Torres being one of the few likely productive bats — 115 WRC+ in 2022 — sitting him on the pine appears to be counterproductive for a team searching for offense.

The Yanks could opt to rotate him around the infield again as they did last season. The 34-year-old played 385.2 innings at third base, 312.2 innings at second and 265 at first. Third base being his best position in terms of defensive runs saved with seven, the same amount Donaldson recorded — who was highly regarded as a potential gold glove candidate — in 902.2 innings. LeMahieu’s versatility and performance in the field earned him his career fourth gold glove award last season.

However, rotating him means sitting the likes of Torres and Anthony Rizzo which creates the problem of daily lineup inconsistencies, an issue the Yanks ran into last season with virtually a different lineup every night. In an ideal world, Oswaldo Cabrera is not penciled into left field and the 23-year-old is utilizing the youth that LeMahieu doesn’t have to rotate around the field on any given night taking over that role and allowing the veteran to settle into a more consistent spot.

Concerns regarding the veteran infielder’s ability to remain healthy down the stretch are warranted especially as he enters his age-34 season. However, with four years remaining on his contract, it leaves the Yankees’ hands tied and fingers crossed that the injury bug has gotten sick of its two-year stay with their utility man. The suddenly pitching-reliant Bombers have limited options to rely on fixing their flawed offense giving them no choice but to put their faith in LeMahieu.