Yankees designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment
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LeMahieu was clogging up second base in New York, which needed to be opened up for Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return to his natural position. The Yankees didn't think LeMahieu could handle third, so they cut him loose and ate the last $22 million on his contract.
Though DJ LeMahieu was one of the quietest players in the Yankees' clubhouse — in public, with the media and, to a lesser degree, with his teammates — no one commanded more respect among his peers.
The New York Yankees made perhaps the most dramatic roster move of their season on Wednesday when they designated veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment. On the one hand, the move wasn't much of a surprise as LeMahieu has struggled to effectively man an infield position this year.
The New York Yankees decided to designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment on Wednesday. He was released after clearing waivers on Thursday. Aaron Judge spoke on the move.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network speculated on Thursday that the Seattle Mariners could be a potential fit for LeMahieu, who had a 91 OPS+ through 45 games this season.
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The New York Yankees released two-time MLB batting champion DJ LeMahieu, ending his seven-year tenure with the team, they announced Thursday.
The ultimate decision to let the 37-year-old LeMahieu go had to do with the versatility of the roster once it was decided that Jazz Chisholm Jr. would go forward as the starting second baseman instead of LeMahieu. Since he joined the Yankees LeMahieu has played a lot of third base, but he’d begun to find the position too physically taxing.
Aaron Boone announced that LeMahieu is no longer viewed as an everyday player. The veteran was not pleased about the change.
On Wednesday, the Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment even though they still owe him approximately $22 million through next season.