The Yankees are finally approaching DJ LeMahieu.
LeMahieu is close to a $ 90 million deal – for five or six years – to return to the Bronx, a source confirmed.
It would be the end of a long negotiation between the two sides that wanted the same result, although the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Mets showed interest.
LeMahieu, 32, is leaving two prominent seasons in the Bronx after signing with the Yankees for two years and $ 24 million before the 2019 season.
At the time, LeMahieu seemed an unlikely fit on a full Yankee field, but he quickly became invaluable, providing a consistent attack and a solid glove on second base, in addition to the first and third.
General manager Brian Cashman made it clear that LeMahieu was the Yankees’ top priority this off-season and was willing to allow other potential free agent targets to sign elsewhere while the two sides negotiated.
“I understand that waiting for something you want and trying to find ways to make it happen … comes with a risk,” Cashman said in early December. “It also has a disadvantage, but there are certain players that you think are more worth waiting for, and I think DJ LeMahieu is worth it.”
Aaron Boone agreed, saying, “It is no secret that he is probably our number one priority to bring back this winter. I know [Cashman] is working on it … Hopefully, at the end of it all, DJ will be a Yankee for a long time. “
In September, LeMahieu expressed his desire to remain in the Bronx.
“I want to stay here, but you never know how it will be, ” LeMahieu said at the time. “I thought I was going to stay in Colorado and I didn’t. I hope to be back here, but you never know how it will be. ”
Now he is back, which is good news for the Yankees, who now have LeMahieu’s consistency both on the pitch and at the club.
LeMahieu’s comeback probably keeps Gleyber Torres in second place, with Luke Voit in first base and Gio Urshela in third.
Cashman ruled out switching LeMahieu to first place, which would allow Torres to return to second base – where he is less of a defensive liability – and negotiate Voit.
“I’m not looking for a plan to try to negotiate with Luke Voit to hire LeMahieu to play first,” said Cashman. “My plan is, if we sign [LeMahieu], for him to play second base. “
The negotiations were complicated by the economic state of the game due to COVID-19 with team owner Hal Steinbrenner claiming that the Yankees lost most of their revenue in major competitions last year.
And although the team has not announced publicly, it is clear that they intend to stay below the $ 210 million luxury tax limit in 2021, leaving little room to add beyond LeMahieu without moving other significant contracts.