New York baseball fans have been waiting all offseason for the New York Yankees to offer a contract to second baseman DJ LeMahieu. That moment has finally come to fruition.
The All-Star was offered a one-year, $19.8 million qualifying offer but rejected the deal. The 32-year-old infielder instead wanted a long-term contract that would make him a Yankee for many years to come. New York’s front office stalled as the team worked to free up enough cap space to pay their star infielder. The wait agitated the three-time All-Star, which led to LeMahieu asking his agent to restart negotiations with other teams.
LeMahieu took a risk and played hardball. That risk paid dividends. New York and the star-infielder have reached a six-year, $90 million contract, which sews LeMahieu up as a lifelong Yankee. His teammates reacted to the big news on Twitter.
The three-time All-Star finished third in the American League MVP race, won the AL batting title with a league-leading .364 batting average in the shortened 2020 season. The 32-year-old became the fourth Yankee in franchise history to lead the league in batting average. He joins the ranks of Micky Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig.
In two seasons with the Yankees, the second baseman has a .336 batting average, 36 home runs, 129 RBIs, and a .922 OPS. Since arriving to New York, LeMahieu has secured a batting title, two Silver Slugger awards and was selected to the All-MLB team twice. Prior to joining the Yankees, the second baseman won three Gold Glove awards and the NL batting title with the Colorado Rockies.
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