Insider Reveals Yankees Have Made Calls to Replace DJ LeMahieu

The trade deadline is quickly approaching for the New York Yankees, and their third base situation is still unsettled. Frankly, this has been an issue for the Yankees over the past year and a half, and until something changes, it’s tough to trust the front office to figure something out. 

Ultimately, the Yankees have understood that they’ve needed to improve at third base, and Brian Cashman hasn’t done the job. 

However, according to a recent report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have begun contacting teams around the league in search of a third baseman. He added that the Yankees could put Jazz Chisholm Jr. back at second base, but at the very least, the Yankees are officially making calls, which is important here. 

“The Yankees are starting to make calls in search of a third baseman. 

“It’s an unusual situation, where their current third baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr., is arguably their second-best player. But they also know he belongs at second, where he’s Gold Glove caliber. Plus, they also obviously know for-the-moment second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who prefers 2B to 3B, isn’t what he was,” he wrote. 

Viable Trade Options

When searching for potential trade options for the New York Yankees, Heyman listed Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes as a potential target. Hayes, who is arguably one of the better defenders in baseball, won the Gold Glove Award during the 2023 campaign. 

He’s not a great offensive player, however, posting a career 88 OPS+. He hasn’t swung the bat at a decent level this season, either, posting a 66 OPS+ with two home runs. 

“He’s said to be ‘on the radar’ of the Yankees as a classic change-of-scenery guy. The Pirates are open-minded on all but pitching phenom Paul Skenes and iconic outfielder Andrew McCutchen, and Charlie Hayes’ son is a great defender — although even after his Mets-triggered hot streak in last weekend’s debacle, his OPS is next to last among qualifying 3B (.601),” he added. 

Is Hayes Worth the Price?

From the New York Yankees’ perspective, if they could land Hayes for a decent package, it might not be the worst idea. They’d still have some of the same issues they’ve already dealt with offensively at third base, so it’s tough to say that he’s the perfect option, but he’d be better than what the Yankees currently have, and that’s tough to deny. 

However, from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ perspective, some don’t believe that they should make this trade unless they get something back of significance, or more importantly, a third baseman, including Last Word on Sports, which questioned if the Pirates front office is in a position to continue to make trades given their track record. 

“Thus, any deal involving Hayes would have to yield the Pirates a major league-ready third baseman. If not, Cherington would have to have a separate deal for a third baseman in his back pocket. As mentioned, I won’t make a mock trade proposal here. I do note, however, that the Cubs, Tigers, and Yankees each have a third baseman on their prospects list who’s projected to arrive in the majors this season.

“But should Cherington be trusted to be the man who makes these deals? The Pirates are a team in need of an overhaul, their present six-game winning streak and corresponding offensive barrage notwithstanding. It’s bewildering to see that Cherington is still the Pirates’ GM and will be making these trades,” they wrote.