Fans of the New York Yankees may be rejoicing that D.J. LeMahieu was designated for assignment, but Aaron Judge is going to miss the now-former Yankees infielder.
The Yankees captain addressed LeMahieu’s departure and shut down a rumor that he nixed the veteran’s release from the team in September 2024 recently.
LeMahieu was a key part of the Yankees’ success since he signed a two-year contract with the team before the 2019 season. In his seven seasons in the Bronx, LeMahieu won two Silver Slugger awards, a batting title in 2020 and finished in the top-4 in American League MVP voting twice.
Still, the Yankees cut ties with the veteran to move Jazz Chisholm Jr to his natural position, second base this week. New York reportedly owes LeMahieu more than $22 million in guaranteed money.
What Did Aaron Judge Say About D.J. LeMahieu’s DFA?
The Yankees captain has a Jeterian ability to avoid controversial subjects, and he again successfully navigated LeMahieu’s departure.
“He’s going to be missed,” Judge said when asked about LeMahieu leaving.
Judge, as well as New York general manager Brian Cashman, were asked about a report circulating that Judge had protested LeMahieu’s release in September 2024. According to Barstool Sports, Cashman had considered parting with LeMahieu to recall outfielder Jasson Dominguez but did not after Judge protested.
“I’m a player. I don’t make decisions,” Judge told the New York Daily News. “That’s more of a front office thing. So I got nothing on that. If they’re listening to what the players are doing, then maybe we should get paid a little bit more to do their jobs too.”
Cashman echoed Judge’s sentiments.
“Thatâs all false, 110 percent false,” the general manager told The Daily News. “None of thatâs true.”
Why Does Aaron Judge Believe D.J. LeMahieu Will Be Missed?
Judge spoke glowingly of LeMahieu’s work ethic, calling him “a gamer,” and expressed his team-first attitude as facets New York would miss.
âHe did anything that the team asked him,â Judge said. âHe showed up every single day ready to play. I know he battled through some injuries. I even go back to 2019. He had a groin injury going on early in the year, and he kind of told the team like, âIâm not going on the IL. I gotta be out there. Even if itâs 60 percent, Iâm going to battle through it and play.â
“So just seeing that type of commitment to the team just motivates me to go out there and try to play every day as much as I can.”
But the injuries caught up with LeMahieu, since Cashman admitted he told the team he could not physically play third base before the year. His production dipped swiftly over the past three seasons, after he signed a six-year, $90 million contract after the 2021 season, since he had just 12 extra-base hits in 329 at-bats over the past two seasons.
In spite that, Judge summarized LeMahieu’s meaningful tenure with the Yankees.
âIâm just wishing [LeMahieu] the best,â Judge said. âHeâs meant a lot to this team and a lot to us in this clubhouse, the fan base, so itâs tough.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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