New York Yankees: Michael Kay finally loses it over Yankee offseason inaction

Michael Kay, known to the New York Yankees fans as the game caller for the New York Yankees, host of the Michael Kay Show on ESPN Radio and the YES Network, has lost it when it comes to the Yankee’s inaction this offseason. The Mets trade for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco finally caused Kay to criticize the Yankees. He seems equally as upset with LeMahieu as he is with the Yankees.

“Here’s the deal: I always felt a perfect Plan B if you didn’t sign DJ LeMahieu would be to pivot, get Francisco Lindor, move Gleyber Torres to second. Boom, you’ve improved your defense,” Kay said on his radio show, via NJ.com.

“I’ve always been very, very honest when people were saying, ‘Why aren’t they signing LeMahieu?’ I said, ‘Well, what’s the rush? The great (free agent) players are still out there. Trevor Bauer hasn’t signed. George Springer hasn’t signed. J.T. Realmuto hasn’t signed. And DJ hasn’t signed.’ Very slow-moving market. But if this slow-moving game of chicken that the Yankees and LeMahieu are playing with each other cost them the chance at Lindor, that’s a bad job.”

The Post’s Joel Sherman reported that the Yankees and LeMahieu were $25 million apart in contract negotiations in mid-December. The big sticking point is that the Yankees want three years for $75 million. Reportedly LeMahieu wants a five-year contract to protect his security through age 38, when he may retire. According to reports, the New York Yankees might be willing to go four years at $88 million, but it appears that at this point, LeMahieu won’t budge. Meanwhile, with glaring pitching needs, the Yankees sit on their hands, awaiting an outcome to the DJ deal.

“You can’t sit here until February and allow DJ LeMahieu to make a decision,” said Kay, who started his Thursday show an hour early to discuss the breaking Lindor news.

“And if you’re DJ LeMahieu, you can’t sit there and let the Yankees play their game. They both have to come together: ‘What’s your best offer for me right now?’ And if DJ’s agent said (to the Yankees), ‘The only way we’re going to get this done is five years’ when he knows he’ll take four … They have to come to a come-to-Jesus meeting and say exactly what the deal is because if all of this posturing cost you your plan B, not good.

“It’s at the point now where do it or get off the pot. ‘Are you going to sign with us or not? Are you going to make me an offer or not?’ Enough of the game.”

Michael Kay has to understand the Yankee fans and writers are just as frustrated by the stalemate as he is. The sad part of the whole situation is that the clock is ticking and many possible Yankee targets have already signed or been traded to other teams.