The Yankees are holding onto their position in the American League playoff race, recently moving ahead of the Orioles with a three-game winning streak that has placed them at the top of the AL East. While their postseason prospects look promising, they face tough decisions ahead.
This season has been marked by injuries and inconsistent performance, leading the Yankees to make roster choices based on covering weaknesses rather than emphasizing strengths. The infield, in particular, has been a trouble spot, with Yankees manager Aaron Boone dealing with disappointing performances from several players.
Among those likely to be excluded from the postseason roster is 36-year-old three-time All-Star D.J. LeMahieu. According to predictions from the New York Post, LeMahieu, who was expected to be a key player this season, may not make the cut due to his underwhelming performance. He is currently batting .189 with a .263 on-base percentage and a .249 slugging percentage, a sharp decline from his previous levels of production.
Another player facing uncertainty is rookie Ben Rice, who initially performed well in Anthony Rizzo’s absence but has since struggled. Rice has seven home runs in 46 games but is hitting just .183 this season.
As noted by Greg Joyce of the Post, the situation at first base remains uncertain. Rizzo is still recovering from an arm fracture and may require additional time before beginning a rehab assignment. Meanwhile, the Yankees have tried to get LeMahieu back to form, with limited success, and Rice’s performance has declined despite some hard-hit balls.
LeMahieu’s Future with the Yankees
LeMahieu’s future with the Yankees is uncertain. Signed to a six-year, $90 million contract in 2021, he is owed $30 million over the next two seasons. Despite being a three-time All-Star and two-time batting champion, his impact this season has been minimal.
LeMahieu’s issues began with a bone bruise in his foot during Spring Training, which kept him out of the season’s start. When Jon Berti, a potential replacement, also went down, the Yankees were left scrambling. They traded for Jazz Chisholm, who was converted to third base but suffered an elbow injury after only 15 games.
LeMahieu finished the 2023 season with a .243 batting average and a .718 OPS. Since his return to the lineup at the end of May, he has struggled, hitting only seven extra-base hits all season. Unless Chisholm’s injury situation worsens, LeMahieu’s tenure with the Yankees may soon come to an end.