MLB Trade Rumors: 3 teams who could sign DJ LeMahieu if Yankees decide to part ways

DJ LeMahieu has been a reliable performer for the New York Yankees in his five previous seasons at the Bronx, but the 36-year-old third baseman is going through the worst slump of his career this year. La Mahieu started the 2024 season on the IL, and he has struggled abysmally at the plate since returning to the team from a foot injury that he suffered at the end of the 2023 campaign.

At the moment, LeMahieu is batting more than 110 points below his career average and slashing just .178/.273/.222 for the season. He has managed just four extra base hits in 135 at-bats thus far, which includes only one home-run. His .495 OPS ranks among the bottom 5% of all players with over 100 plate appearances, while he also holds the seventh highest groundball-rate in the MLB.

The Yankees started their last two games with DJ LeMahieu on the bench, before they acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins on Saturday night for three minor league prospects. Therefore, it seems increasingly likely that the Yankees will DFA LeMahieu in the next few days, although there may not be many teams lining up for him given the current state of performances.

Having joined the New York Yankees in 2019, DJ LeMahieu signed a six-year $90 million extension a couple of years later. As a two-time batting champion with three All-Star nods and four Gold Gloves, there should be a few suitors for LeMahieu at the trade deadline. Still, the Yankees will have to bear a significant chunk of the $30 million that he is owed over the next two years to strike any kind of deal.

We look at a few teams that LeMahieu could get traded to before the end of the month.

3 Teams who could sign DJ LeMahieu

DJ LeMahieu could get DFA'd by the New York Yankees before the trade deadline (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

#1. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays did not sign an everyday third baseman after losing Matt Chapman to free agency at the start of the season. The Blue Jays are out of the playoff hunt, so they will be looking to sell at the trade deadline. They have a few pieces that will be coveted by other teams, so they can fill the hole at third base while lowering the payroll by claiming DJ LeMahieu on a waiver.

#2. San Francisco Giants

Matt Chapman has been rumored to transfer to the New York Yankees at this trade deadline, and he will certainly be an upgrade over DJ LeMahieu under the current circumstances. The San Francisco Giants signed him to a three-year, $55 million deal earlier this year, but may look to offload him now and lower the payroll as they are seemingly out of the playoff race.

#3. Los Angeles Angels

Luis Rengifo has also been identified as a possible trade candidate for the New York Yankees before the July 30 deadline. Rengifo is having the best season of his career, so the Los Angeles Angels may decide this is the right time to move him. In return, they could acquire a veteran third baseman in DJ LeMahieu for a cut-price deal along with a couple of prospects as they continue to rebuild the team.