Yankees' $90 Million 3-Time All-Star 'Obvious Guy to Be Dealt' Amid Losing Streak
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The New York Yankees were able to end a harsh scoring drought on Wednesday, but their losing streak grew to a concerning six games.
After struggling against the lowly Los Angeles Angels for the third game in a row, the Yankees are searching for answers at the plate without a clear solution in sight.
"You play 162, you're gonna hit a little rut like this," Aaron Judge said after the game, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. "But you can't give up. You can't mope about it."
As the Yankees look to return to the World Series this year with better results than they had last season, time could be running out to make the kind of change that prevents a rut like this from persisting. And for ESPN's Buster Olney, there is a clear candidate to be moved off the team.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 11: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees walks into the dugout before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 11, 2022 in...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 11: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees walks into the dugout before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 11, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo) More
Elsa/Getty
"Look, if you're thinking about possible change with this lineup, the guy to watch, no question, is DJ LeMahieu," Olney said on the "Baseball Tonight" podcast. "He's 36 years old. He turns 37 next month. ... I think part of the reason the Yankees put Jazz Chisholm at third base when he came off the injured list was they want to maintain flexibility in case they decide to make a change. LeMahieu would be the obvious guy to be dealt if they decide to do that."
The Yankees could be searching for a right-handed bat to improve their lineup and the infield seems like the obvious place to put such an addition, as the team already has a logjam at designated hitter and in the outfield. But trading away LeMahieu to make room for a new face would be an ignominious end for the veteran after he signed a $90 million contract to join the Yankees.
LeMahieu has been a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner in his 15-year career, but his playing days could be numbered. He is slashing just .244/.333/.341 so far this season and consistently deals with injury setbacks.
As a result, he might find himself on a new team by the trade deadline as the Yankees look to turn their offense around.
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