With just over a month until the scheduled start of Spring Training, many of the top free agents remain unsigned. It’s a group that includes Trevor Bauer, George Springer, J.T. Realmuto and DJ LeMahieu, among others.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of a handful of teams that have shown interest in LeMahieu, who reportedly is seeking a five-year contract with a total value in the neighborhood of $100 million. L.A. reportedly views him as a potential solution at third base should Justin Turner sign with another team.
LeMahieu’s first preference, however, is to return to the New York Yankees, where he hit a combined .336/.386/.536 with 43 doubles, 36 home runs and 129 RBI over the past two seasons.
The Yankees have also made re-signing LeMahieu their top priority this offseason, but talks between the sides don’t seem to be progressing. As such, LeMahieu is planning to re-connect with the Dodgers and other teams that previously reached out to him, per Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports:
The 32-year-old LeMahieu has, therefore, asked his representatives to re-engage with teams that have previously shown the most interest, the source said, among them the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, and to reconnect with teams that reached out early in the free agent period, including the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and others. LeMahieu expects to meet virtually with several teams this week, according to the source, that are seeking to fill holes at second or third base.
Frustrated that negotiations with the Yankees have gone nowhere, LeMahieu now appears to be more willing to seriously consider other teams. There is no doubt he would be an excellent fit on the Dodgers, given his elite bat and ability to play all over the infield.
However, the Dodgers’ first preference is believed to be working out a new contract with Turner. He is said to be seeking a four-year contract, while the club hopes to bring him back on a deal that doesn’t exceed two years.
Dodgers will search outside organization if Turner doesn’t re-sign
Should Turner sign elsewhere, the belief is that the Dodgers will search outside of the organization for his replacement. LeMahieu is at the top of L.A.’s wishlist, but they could also pursue the likes of Kris Bryant, Eugenio Suarez and Mike Moustakas, who are available in trades.
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