Yankees Designate DJ LeMahieu for Assignment: What Does His $15 Million Contract Mean for 2026?

NEW YORK — DJ LeMahieu’s time with the New York Yankees has come to a close. Manager Aaron Boone recently announced that LeMahieu would be a bench player, and just a day later, the Yankees designated him for assignment.

If no team picks him up, the Yankees will owe LeMahieu around $22 million. This includes the remainder of his salary for this season and a portion due in 2026.

Boone expressed that this was not an easy decision. “It’s been tough,” he said. “He’s been a great player for us.” Although LeMahieu didn’t request his release, he spoke with general manager Brian Cashman multiple times leading up to the announcement.

To fill LeMahieu’s spot, the Yankees added infielder Jorbit Vivas to their roster. Jazz Chisholm Jr. will shift to second base, while Oswald Peraza, Vivas, and JC Escarra will compete for the third-base role.

At 36, LeMahieu is the fourth significant veteran player the Yankees have put on waivers this year. Previously, they released Aaron Hicks, Josh Donaldson, and Harrison Bader. When Hicks was released in May 2023, the Yankees owed him $27.6 million.

LeMahieu’s performance has declined since signing a six-year, $90 million extension after the 2020 season, when he finished third in the American League MVP race. His batting has struggled due to several injuries, leading to a disappointing wRC+ since 2021, which ranks among the lowest in the league.

The Yankees decided that LeMahieu’s decreasing versatility made his release necessary. Boone noted that injuries have made it challenging for him to play a physically demanding position like third base. This situation forced the Yankees to reconsider their roster setup, especially with Giancarlo Stanton also limited in fielding capabilities.

Throughout his career with the Yankees, LeMahieu earned two top-five MVP finishes, two Silver Slugger Awards, and a Gold Glove Award as a utility infielder in 2022.

His exit marks a significant change for the Yankees, who have been evaluating their roster and performance as they aim to improve. This decision reflects the growing challenges faced by aging players in a sport that demands high physical performance.

As the baseball season progresses, it will be interesting to observe how both LeMahieu and the Yankees adapt to these changes.

For more insights on sports roster decisions, check out ESPN’s analysis here.

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New York Yankees, MLB