Yankees Urged to Target $54 Million Trade Replacement for DJ LeMahieu

Before spring training began, the New York Yankees saw veteran third baseman DJ LeMahieu as their likely leadoff hitter batting ahead of superstar sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

Those plans were derailed when LeMahieu fouled a ball off of his foot in the preseason and wound up with an injury that kept him out of the lineup entirely until late May. And his .188/.284/.214 slash line since then has made his serving in the leadoff spot unimaginable.

As the trade deadline approaches and the Yankees consider improvements for the infield, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic suggests a possible trade for third baseman Matt Chapman, who signed a $54 million deal with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the season.

“Acquiring the Giants’ third baseman would help fill the hole the Yankees have on the left side of their infield with DJ LeMahieu’s struggles,” per Kirschner. “He possesses characteristics that the Yankees like in their hitters: a high average exit velocity, the ability to square up the baseball and a low chase percentage. Though defensive metrics vary this season, he’s been a whiz at third base in his career. Moreover, if the Yankees were to add him, he would immediately become their fastest player on the roster.”

As Kirschner noted, there’s a lot the Yankees might like about Chapman, and it’s clear their infield needs some help, particularly with first baseman Anthony Rizzo injured and second baseman Gleyber Torres going through a season-long slump. But it’s not totally clear whether the Giants will be willing to entertain offers for him, as they stand just three games back of a playoff spot heading into the All-Star break.

However, Chapman has vowed to opt out of his contract and test the free agent market again after this season, so he might be had for a relatively low price, and the Yankees could see him as a low-risk addition.

Whether or not New York pursues a trade with the Giants, it seems like addressing their issues at third base will be a trade deadline priority.

“The Yankees have struggled to find production at the hot corner this season,” Casey Fahrer noted for Inside The Pinstripes . “Oswaldo Cabrera started the year as the team’s primary third baseman. He has a .624 OPS through 69 games. DJ LeMahieu made his season debut on May 28 and has made 28 appearances at third base since then. He too struggled this year, posting a .529 OPS and he has yet to hit a home run.”

With a .730 OPS in 94 games at third and with four Gold Glove awards under his belt, Chapman could be worth a look for the Yankees.

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