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MLB Free Agent Rumors: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees Agree To 6-Year Contract

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

With a void at third base due to Justin Turner reaching free agency this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers have regularly been connected to DJ LeMahieu.

It had been long believed LeMahieu would remain with the New York Yankees, though there were indications of be recent frustration over stalled negotiations in what’s been yet another slow-moving free agency period.

Although LeMahieu’s representatives reportedly planned to re-engage with other teams, the Dodgers were still said to prefer re-signing Turner. The two sides may now have further incentive to come to terms as LeMahieu is no longer on the market.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees and LeMahieu have agreed on a six-year, $90 million contract:

LeMahieu reportedly was in search of a contract in the neighborhood of five years and $125 million. Although he appears to have fallen short in terms of value, the agreement has an extra year.

That also is a boon to the Yankees, as the $15 million average annual value will aid their efforts in avoiding significant luxury tax penalties.

LeMahieu batted a combined .336/.386/.536 with 43 doubles, 36 home runs and 129 RBI over the past two seasons with the Yankees.

Will Dodgers now re-sign Turner?

Although the Dodgers have been reported as being interested in re-signing Turner, the sides appear to be apart on a potential contract. Turner is thought to seek a four-year deal, while L.A. was more interested in half that length.

Negotiations may now pick up with LeMahieu returning to the Yankees, though Kris Bryant and Eugenio Suarez have been mentioned as potential trade targets for the Dodgers.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com