TAMPA — For a guy who prides himself on being as publicly vanilla as an episode of “Jessie,” DJ LeMahieu continues to fascinate as a Yankee.
The Yankees fascinated us a year ago by signing him as an irregular regular, an acquisition that effectively (and thankfully) halted the Manny Machado fantasies. LeMahieu fascinated us with a spectacular 2019 season, excelling at all three bases and earning the love of both his teammates and his fan base.
Now comes the fascinating followup: With the 31-year-old already in his walk year, what would constitute a fair contract extension for him, and should the Yankees pursue it?
Yes, they should pursue it. How about two years for $32 million through 2022, with a $16 million vesting option (based on, let’s say, 450 plate appearances) for 2023?
At George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday, LeMahieu said the Yankees hadn’t approached him about staying beyond his current deal. Yes, he said, he’d be open to such a conversation.
“Obviously, I love it here,” LeMahieu declared.
Consider the feeling mutual. The Yankees’ most valuable player last year by virtue of his .327/.375/.518 slash line and aforementioned versatility, LeMahieu — who will primarily play second base this season if everyone is healthy — added to his allure by showing off his off-the-charts makeup.
“He loves to play,” Aaron Boone said. “His work is really efficient. He doesn’t really overdo anything. He’s real particular with his swings in the course of the day, with what he does before a game to get ready. He’s just got a really solid routine.
“And there’s just something a little bit different that he brings to the room that I think guys are drawn to. Even though he’s not the most vocal guy, I think guys look up to him and enjoy him.”
You saw that vibe peak when LeMahieu kept the Yankees alive in last year’s American League Championship Series with a one-out, ninth-inning, game-tying, two-run homer off Astros closer Roberto Osuna. And LeMahieu’s prominent role arguably enhanced his teammates’ despair when, in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6, Jose Altuve blasted Houston into the World Series with a two-run, walk-off shot against Aroldis Chapman. You might have heard that Altuve instructed his fellow Astros not to remove his uniform top as he crossed home plate.
Anyway, here we stand for Year 2 of DJ in pinstripes. “I think there’s a confidence [from last year],” he said. “I think I get in trouble especially if I try to do too much, so just kind of stay within myself. I did a really good job of doing that last year. And the results happened.
“For me, I’m not trying to live up to anything. I’m not trying to do anything. I just want to be myself.”
If his career-best 2019 turns into his new foundation, then two years for $32 million becomes a bargain. Yet respected projection systems like ZiPs and Steamer call for a regression based on LeMahieu’s greater history. He sports a career OPS+ of 98, just below league average, even after last year’s career-best 136.
The Yankees should buy high based on what they saw from LeMahieu last year. On the reality that no blue-chip infield prospects exist in their minor league system. On the potential payroll flexibility coming with Tommy Kahnle, James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka facing walk years and Zack Britton, Brett Gardner and J.A. Happ possibly doing so. As long as the Yankees didn’t touch LeMahieu’s $12 million salary for 2020, an extension wouldn’t impact their 2020 luxury-tax figure.
“We haven’t had any [extension] discussions at this time,” Brian Cashman wrote in a text message, “and obviously if we did start any negotiations with anyone at any time absent of free agency, we would always try and keep them private, to the degree that is ever possible.”
The list of 30-plus veterans Cashman has extended prior to free agency, in 22 seasons on the job, to the best of my recollection runs this short: 1) Paul O’Neill, 1998; and 2) Mariano Rivera, 2001 and 2004. Based on his one-year sample, LeMahieu would be a worthy addition to that exclusive group. Fascinatingly worthy, in fact.
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