What’s Next for Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu After Jazz Chisholm Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Blittner | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 7:41 PM ET

When one door closes, another one opens, or, at least, that’s how things normally work.

When Yankees Manager Aaron Boone announced that Jazz Chisholm Jr. was moving back to second base, it not only put the newly minted All-Star at ease but it also calmed a portion of the fan base. However, there was one person who was not at ease and that was DJ LeMahieu, who is now going to be “a bat off the bench,” according to Newsday’s Erik Boland, who reported Boone’s statement on Twitter/X.

According to The Daily News’ Gary Phillips, when Boone was asked how LeMahieu took the news, he said, “Not great, necessarily, but that's kind of the situation.” Boone also continued by saying, “Physically, it’s a challenge,” for LeMahieu, right now.

So, now, Chisholm is back at second, where he described himself to Phillips as an “Elite defender. Elite slugging. Fast. Great defense. I don't know what else to tell you. Sounds like a complete player to me.” But where does that leave LeMahieu?

Since the Yankees don’t view third base as an option for LeMahieu – they’ve already said he’s not going to play the hot corner – and he likely makes too much money to be strictly a bench player, you have to wonder if either a trade, being DFA’d or outright released is on the table?

His trade value is negligible at the moment, so while that would likely be the Yankees’ preferred means of escaping the rest of LeMahieu’s contract, it’s also not terribly appealing.

As for designating him for assignment or outright releasing him, Hal Steinbrenner has shown a disdain over the years for eating significant amounts of money to pay players to, in essence, go away.

Regardless of which path the Yankees choose, one thing is clear: LeMahieu’s time in pinstripes is rapidly coming to a close.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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