When news broke on Wednesday afternoon that the New York Yankees had designated infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment, the team's design for the upcoming MLB trade deadline became a little clearer.
In the middle of his 15th MLB season, the 36-year-old LeMahieu's departure was hastened by Jazz Chisholm Jr. being shifted back to second base, a position where LeMahieu had played in all 45 of his games this season. With the move, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu would become "a bat off the bench" and that LeMahieu had taken the news "not necessarily great."
With that, LeMahieu's clock representing his time in the Bronx started ticking loudly. It was made clear on Wednesday that this was a decision made by the Yankees and not pushed by LeMahieu.
Boone said DJL did not ask to be DFA’d. LeMahieu was willing to continue in the reserve role. But the Yanks made the decision to DFA him now. This is a move that has been discussed in the past, too.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) July 9, 2025
It's clear that the Yankees are looking to upgrade their infield (something general manager Brian Cashman mentioned on Wednesday), and the LeMahieu move was a clear path for that to happen.
With Chisholm moving back to second base, the Yankees now need to figure out a plan for third base.
Oswaldo Cabrera, one of six players who have played third base for the Yankees this year, is out for the season with a left ankle injury. Oswald Peraza, who has the most games played at the hot corner (37) heading into Wednesday's action, has posted an OPS+ of 37 this season and is slashing just .157/.226/.261 in 134 at-bats this year.
Among the candidates who could fill the void at third base for the Yankees are a pair of National League West rivals in Arizona's Eugenio Suarez and Colorado's Ryan McMahon.
While Arizona may still be in limbo on whether they will be a seller at the trade deadline, the 33-year-old Suarez is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season and could provide power for the Yankees at third base.
The 30-year-old McMahon is under team control through the 2027 season, having two seasons remaining on a six-year, $70 million deal. A perennial Gold Glove finalist at third, McMahon would provide potential pop at the plate and a solid glove in the field.
There has also been talk of potential interest by the Yankees in Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo. The 28-year-old Rengifo can play numerous infield positions (including third base) and is a free agent at the end of the season, but he's hitting just .231 in his first 294 at-bats of the season. Would his OPS+ of 63 be seen as an improvement over LeMahieu's?
While the Yankees need help in the rotation and bullpen, nailing down an impact bat in the infield before the trade deadline became even more of a priority on Wednesday with LeMahieu's departure.
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