Boone giving Lemahieu space
Manager hopeful free agent batting champ will be a Yankee in ’21
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 onbase 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.
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.”
Rangers: Signed free agent outfielder David Dahl to a $2.7 million, one-year contract after Colorado didn’t offer him a contract coming off right shoulder surgery. Dahl hit .183 with no homers and nine RBIS while spending about a month on the injured list. Dahl also dealt with back soreness last season. He had had surgery Sept. 29.
Mariners: Acquired right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from Texas. The 30-year-old was the Rangers’ closer for most of the 2020 season after Jose Leclerc was sidelined due to a right shoulder injury after just two appearances. Montero appeared in 17 games and was 8-for-8 in save situations.
Mets: Free agent catcher James Mccann signed his $40.6 million, four-year contract on Tuesday. Mccann will get a $600,000 signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, salaries of $8 million in each of the first two seasons and $12 million in each of the final two years.