As the MLB trade deadline on July 30 rapidly approaches, Yankees manager Aaron Boone faces the increasingly clear choice of benching veteran utility man DJ LeMahieu. General Manager Brian Cashman is expected to explore various moves to strengthen the team, with acquiring an above-average infield bat taking priority.
Time for Change: Yankees Consider Bench Options for DJ LeMahieu
Once one of baseball’s premier contact hitters, DJ LeMahieu has seen a stark decline in his performance over the past two years. Currently, he boasts a dismal batting average of .177 with an on-base percentage of .270 and a slugging percentage of .202. Over 39 games and 142 plate appearances this season, he has not managed a single home run and has only 11 RBIs. His weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 44 indicates he is performing 56% worse than the league average, and for the first time in his career, his wins above replacement (WAR) is negative at -0.2.
LeMahieu’s hard-hit rate stands at 35.9%, and his average exit velocity has decreased to 87.6 mph. A concerning -0.8° launch angle suggests he is struggling to lift the ball, significantly reducing his potential for extra-base hits.
Defensive Skills Remain, Offensive Challenges Continue
Despite his offensive struggles, LeMahieu remains a strong defensive asset. He has played 275.2 innings at third base this year, maintaining a .989 fielding percentage and recording five outs above average. However, his prowess on defense might not be enough to keep him in a starting role, especially with trade talks heating up around Isaac Paredes of the Tampa Bay Rays, a young and controllable talent through 2028.
The Bright Spot and Rising Calls for Replacement
LeMahieu’s performance with runners in scoring position remains a lone bright spot—batting .276 in these scenarios with 11 RBIs from just 29 at-bats. Nonetheless, the clamor grows for players like Oswaldo Cabrera to receive more playing time. Cabrera, though still below average with a 79 wRC+, shows promise with a .237 average, .286 OBP, five home runs, and 27 RBIs. Unlike LeMahieu, Cabrera has shown he can elevate the ball more consistently, reducing groundouts.
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Decision Time for the Yankees
As the Yankees reevaluate their lineup following a 9-1 loss to the Rays, in which LeMahieu struck out twice and grounded out, the decision looms on whether to continue relying on his veteran presence or turn to younger, potentially more dynamic options.