Boone giving LeMahieu space
NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone is treating DJ LeMahieu like he’s any other member of the team this offseason.
And he’s hopeful that when New York gathers for spring training, the reigning big league batting champion will be there.
A month and a half into baseball’s offseason, LeMahieu remains a free agent. Although there’s mutual interest in keeping the three-time All-Star in pinstripes, no deal has emerged.
Boone routinely participates in sales pitches for free agents — including during last year’s talks with ace Gerrit Cole — but he said Tuesday he’s giving LeMahieu space to make his own decision.
“This time of year, I text with guys every few weeks, check in with guys, and I’ve treated DJ in that same manner,” Boone said. “He knows I’m here if he needs to ask me anything.”
The 32-year-old LeMahieu won his second batting crown last season by hitting .364, adding 10 home runs and 27 RBIs during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season. His .421 on-base percentage and 1.011 OPS led the American League, and the three-time Gold Glove Award winner finished third in AL MVP voting.
LeMahieu likes playing in New York, and the Yankees don’t have a sufficient replacement in-house. Rarely are the deep-pocketed Bronx Bombers outspent on a priority piece like that.
Then again, Yankees managing partner Hal
Steinbrenner has claimed New York lost more money in 2020 than any other major league franchise, spurring anxiety among fans that talks with LeMahieu are dragging because a deal may not be reached.
Boone said he isn’t surprised or troubled by the timeframe on those talks.
“DJ’s put himself in a really strong position, even coming off the year that was 2020 and all the uncertainty,” Boone said. “The bottom line is he’s earned the right to, and I’m sure understandably has a lot of interest from a lot of different teams. I respect and understand that process.
“It’ll happen in its own time,” he added. “Hopefully that ends up with him being a Yankee.”
SWING AWAY
Boone said struggling slugger Gary Sanchez pushed to play winter ball after hitting .147 during the regular season. Sanchez and teammates Miguel Andujar and Domingo German are playing for Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. Sanchez has looked sharp, hitting .318 through seven games.
Sanchez worked early this offseason with hitting coach Marcus Thames and assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere on adjustments to his swing and approach. He’s using the time with Toros to stress-test those tweaks.
Sanchez, only participating as a designated hitter, has two homers and a 1.165 OPS.
“I’m glad he’s down there racking up some more at-bats,” Boone said.
Boone said he was monitoring performance for New York’s other winter league players, but his chief concern is merely that they get reps. That’s especially true of German, who missed all of 2020 while serving an 81-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.