Versatile infielder should be regular
TAMPA, Fla. – DJ LeMahieu might appear blocked on the Yankees’ infield, but the manager sees him as a regular player on the 2019 club.
“Even with everybody healthy, it’s not hard to imagine him pretty much playing every day,” Aaron Boone said.
Being reunited with veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, his teammate in Colorado, plays a part in this scenario for LeMahieu.
“I kind of envision Troy getting a couple days (off ) a week,” Boone said, which means two days when Gleyber Torres slides over from second base to start at shortstop.
“That’s two days for LeMahieu there” at second base, his Gold Glove position. And Boone also sees LeMahieu getting a day or two a week at first base or third base.
“Against a lefty, maybe Miggy (Miguel Andujar) gets a DH day,” said Boone. So, “I honestly don’t think it will be that difficult to keep him playing as one of the regulars.”
LeMahieu, a .298 career hitter over eight seasons who won the 2016 National League batting title (.348), signed a twoyear, $24 million free agent contract last month.
With his defensive ability at second base and reputation as a contact hitter, “He’s a really good player — I think there is real value in having the ability to put the ball in play,” Boone said.
“Especially nowadays, with the matchups and pitchers we run out there designed to miss your bat,” Boone said LeMahieu “gives us a little bit of a different, unique look.
“There’s value in that ... because he’s a really good player and a really good hitter.”