The Yankees Finally DFA Veteran Infielder DJ LeMahieu In $22 million Breakup

NEW YORK – This was a long-overdue breakup. At some point, the Yankees had to stop clinging to the past.

The New York Yankees designated veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment on Wednesday ahead of their game against the Seattle Mariners. LeMahieu, who had a 91 OPS+ through 45 games this season, was on a six-year contract that ran through the 2026 season. He is still owed nearly $22 million on the remainder of that pact. 

"As widely respected a player as we've had," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "And rightly so. He's earned that through his professionalism, his toughness, his play on the field. Just the quiet way he goes about things. There's a lot of guys that have an immense amount of respect for DJ."

The decision to DFA LeMahieu, which Boone multiple times characterized as "difficult," started to evolve in the past few days. After the Yankees this past weekend decided to move Jazz Chisholm from third base back to his original position at second, there was nowhere for LeMahieu to go. Even though the veteran has played 295 career games at third base, and as recently as this spring, he told general manager Brian Cashman over the winter that he was willing to play third, but that it would be a physical challenge for him due to his ongoing recovery from a hip injury. 

"It's a demanding spot," Boone said of playing the hot corner. "That was going to be a challenge for him. That said, he was willing to work over there and become a real option for us over there."

Asked how LeMahieu handled the team’s decision, Cashman simply said: "Like a pro." The veteran infielder was well-liked in the Yankees clubhouse since he joined the organization in 2019. 

Cashman said it would be "best for the roster configuration going