Yankees Could Sign This Former All-Star Away From Mets After DJ LeMahieu’s Injury
The New York Yankees were planning on deploying DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera at third base this season. Neither player had a great season in 2024, but the Yankees still refused to add an impact player to play third base.
Now, less than a month before the regular season, the Yankees may need to find a third baseman after all. LeMahieu sustained a calf injury against the Houston Astros during a spring training game, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Even if LeMahieu is good to go by opening day, the Yankees should be concerned about his ability to make it through the season.
Last season LeMahieu slashed .204/.269/.259 and played in just 67 games. The 36-year-old dealt with a foot injury to start the season and then a hip injury that kept him out all of September and the postseason. At this point in the offseason, there are not many quality third basemen left on the open market. However, Jose Iglesias, who was great for the New York Mets last season, is available and could be a great fit in the Bronx.
Iglesias slashed .337/.381/.448 on the Mets last season while playing stellar defense. He posted a plus-two Outs Above Average at third base in 2024, according to Baseball Savant. He was better than both Cabrera and LeMahieu at the plate last season and would give the Yankees another versatile infielder while LeMahieu recovers.
Iglesias may not be an All-Star like he was in 2015, but he could still be a contributor for the Yankees. Adding insurance for LeMahieu would be a smart move for the team considering he is already dealing with injuries.
The New York Yankees were slated to enter the season with DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera sharing the hot corner. LeMahieu, who figured to get a majority of the workload, is coming off a lackluster season highlighted by injuries. However, LeMahieu injured his calf during a spring training game against the Houston Astros, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
LeMahieu’s latest injury could show the Yankees that relying on the 36-year-old may not be a recipe for success. Manager Aaron Boone described LeMahieu’s injury as “at least a little concerning,” according to Hoch. If LeMahieu starts the season on the injured list, the Yankees may be forced to finally add an upgrade to their infield.
“Ke’Bryan Hayes is a defensive magician at third base,” Kay said on Jan. 15. “His hitting is not what it should be, but he’s obviously not happy in Pittsburgh. I talked to Charlie when the Yankees were in Pittsburgh a couple of years ago, and he was like scratching his head about some of the things they do in Pittsburgh with the hitters. Whatever the case may be, if I’m the Yankees, I’m calling the Pirates and go, ‘What do you want?'”
Hayes signed an eight-year, $70 million extension in 2022. He is a younger alternative to Arenado who would not put too much stress on the Yankees’ payroll. He is also under club control through 2030. He would demand multiple top 30 prospects in return but would give the Yankees a reliable player to round out their infield.
