The Yankees had Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base during their playoff run, but he is set to move to second base. With that, MLB expert Jorge Castillo expects the Yankees to start DJ LeMahieu at third base.
“The Yankees quickly performed a series of moves in their pivot from Juan Soto, raising the floor on a top-heavy roster in 2024, but they may finish their summer with either a second baseman or a third baseman. “If the Yankees sign a third baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr. will play second base, or third if they sign a second baseman,” Castillo wrote in an ESPN piece.
“DJ LeMahieu remains on the roster for $30 million over the next two seasons, providing the Yankees a notable internal option at third base, but the veteran’s dismal, injury-plagued 2024 year does not suggest he’s worthy of an everyday job as he approaches age 36. Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Cabrera, and Jorbit Vivas are among the other players that could make the 40-man squad. Expect the Yankees to add depth to one of the two positions,” Castillo said.
According to the insider, the Yankees want to start LeMahieu at third base. The veteran infielder is in the fifth year of his six-year, $90 million contract. However, he has battled to remain healthy.
In 2024, LeMahieu hit.204 with two home runs and 26 RBIs in 201 at-bats while dealing with ailments. He is a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time Silver Slugger award winner.
Yankees GM Expects Big Role for LeMahieu
Brian Cashman, the Yankees’ general manager, expects LeMahieu to play a significant part with the team in 2025.
“He’s a professional, and he’s going to do everything he can to be in a position to contribute,” Cashman told the New York Post of LeMahieu. “I believe he’ll be healthy heading into camp and eager to put the last two seasons behind him. Injuries have sidelined him.”
LeMahieu did play the entire season in 2023, but he only featured in 67 games last year due to injury.
However, Cashman expects the infielder to be healthy in 2025 and play a significant role for New York this season.
New York has checked in on the infielders.
Although Castillo believes LeMahieu will play third base, the Yankees have looked into certain infielders.
Other infielders linked to New York include Brendan Rodgers, Luis Arraez, and Jorge Polanco.
“The Yankees have spoken with free agent infielder Brendan Rodgers,” the New York Post’s Mark W. Sanchez reported. “They have also been linked with contact-savant (but defensively deficient) Luis Arraez, who is under contract with the Padres for another year…”
“Behind him in the free agent market include the likes of Polanco, Rodgers, Ha-Seong Kim, Jose Iglesias, Yoan Moncada, Kiké Hernandez, Whit Merrifield and Paul DeJong,” according to the report. “The Yankees might also continue to investigate the trade market. Where Arraez, Phillies’ Alec Bohm, and Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado could be pried.”
The Yankees have the third-best World Series odds heading into the 2025 season.
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