Indeed he does, and he has earned it.
On January 14th, the Yankees signed free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu to a two year, $24 million deal, and that could very well be the steal of the past offseason.
DJ LeMahieu needs a raise.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 15, 2019
LeMahieu put up amazing numbers this year, and was undoubtedly the Yankees’ most valuable player. He was brought in as a second baseman, but with the string of injuries the Yankees endured, LeMahieu showed he could play at first and third, and was the Yankees’ starting first baseman throughout the postseason.
LeMahieu had an average of .327, an .893 on base plus slugging percentage, 26 home runs, 102 RBIs, 109 runs, and a WAR at an even 6.0, and that was just in the regular season. He was also unstoppable with runners in scoring position. In those situations, he had a .389 batting average and a 1.017 on-base plus slugging. The stats can’t get any crazier right? Wrong. With runners in scoring position and two outs, he was EVEN. BETTER. In those situations, LeMahieu had a .388 batting average with a 1.162 on-base plus slugging. Absolutely insane.
LeMachine, as many Yankees fans call him, continued his stellar play into October. He batted .325 with a 1.011 on-base plus slugging percentage, and hit three home runs, while driving in seven.
Not only was he one of the best players the Yankees had in the postseason, but LeMahieu had the most clutch at bat that he could have had.
Down by two runs in the top of the ninth in Game 6 against the Astros, LeMahieu stepped into the box against Astros closer Roberto Osuna.
LeMahieu saw ten pitches over the course of the at bat, and on the tenth pitch, he sent the ball to right field to keep the Yankees’ season alive with a game-tying two run home run.
DJ LeMahieu with perhaps the at-bat of the year. Home run on the 10th pitch against Roberto Osuna. Game 6 of the ALCS is tied at 4.
Wow.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 20, 2019
The Astros went on to win the game, thus winning them the series, but for about twenty minutes, the entire baseball world was shocked by DJ LeMahieu’s heroics.
Based on this amazing season, the Yankees NEED to extend LeMahieu.
Yes, he will be with the Yankees next year, as he signed for two years the last offseason, but why not get his extension done now?
The fans love him, his teammates love him, and he is the Yankees’ best hitter, no question. He brought a whole new element to this team, one that the Yankees have not seen in a long time.
LeMahieu brings a clutch, dynamic leadoff hitter with runners in scoring position, and a leadoff batter who gets on base consistently. He was what the Yankees were missing in 2018, and they won the AL East and made it to the ALCS with him.
DJ LeMahieu is exactly what the Yankees need, and hopefully, he is with them for a lot longer than just next year.
Featured Image: Brad Penner - USA Today Sports
