DJ LeMahieu was once the Yankees’ most reliable hitter, but those days feel distant. Since 2020, injuries and decreasing production have raised vital issues. Yet, Aaron Boone remains confident that LeMahieu can return to his form, effectively overlooking the warning signs. Boone’s optimism is not totally misplaced; when healthy, LeMahieu has been a vital contact hitter. However, the numbers tell a distinctive story.

LeMahieu’s batting average has decreased from .364 in 2020 to .243 in 2023, while his on-base percentage and power have also decreased. If the Yankees ignore his regression, it could cost them in 2024. Aaron Boone continues to think about LeMahieu’s capability; however, the numbers highlight otherwise. “DJ is healthy, which has really been the issue for him over the last couple of years. He has had those things that have popped up, which have really zapped his greatness,” Aaron Boone said to Chris Kirschner. While injuries have played a vital role, LeMahieu’s numbers have steadily decreased since his MVP-caliber 2020 season. In 2023, he hit just .243 with a .711 OPS, a far cry from his average in 2020.

Beyond the surface-level numbers, his enhanced metrics are just as concerning. His hard-hit percentage has dropped from 48.5 percent in 2020 to 38.9 percent in 2023, highlighting a clear loss in quality contact. In addition, LeMahieu‘s strikeout rate also spiked from 9.7 percent in 2020 to 22.2 percent last season. While Aaron Boone insists health is a vital issue, the reality is that when LeMahieu was effectively available, he struggled to replicate his past dominance. If Aaron Boone ignored acknowledging the decrease, the Yankees could be stuck relying on an aging veteran who could no longer be capable of providing, like, an elite.

What this is for the Yankees

Aaron Boone’s continued faith in LeMahieu could affect the Yankees’ roster decision. The team has younger infielders like Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera, who are looking for playing time. If the veteran continues to struggle, Boone could be forced to decide whether to stick with a declining player. The team has been hesitant to move on from underperforming veterans in the past, and such a situation could adopt a similar pattern. The Yankees stuck with Aaron Hicks despite years of decreasing production before finally cutting ties in 2023. In addition, Josh Donaldson remained in the lineup despite hitting just .207 with a .678 OPS in his Yankees tenure. If LeMahieu adopts the same trajectory, the team risks making the same mistake again.

Another aspect to consider is LeMahieu’s contract situation as well as its effect on the team’s flexibility. LeMahieu is signed through 2026 on a six-year, $90 million deal. It highlights that the Yankees have a financial commitment that could influence any decision to decrease his role. Unlike past veterans, LeMahieu’s contract makes it tough to bench him without implication. This enhances issues related to how the team manages its payroll and roster construction. If LeMahieu underperforms, his contract becomes a burden, limiting their capability to make midseason enhancements.

With the team already carrying expensive veterans, sticking with an aging, declining player could leave them with limited options when they need reinforcements the most. LeMahieu’s decline is clear, yet Boone continues to think in his resurgence. The Yankees cannot afford to make the same mistakes they have with other struggling veterans. Will they adapt, and will blind loyalty cost them? Keep an eye on LeMahieu’s performance; his future could define the Yankees’ 2024 season.