What a DJ LeMahieu-Yankees Contract Extension Would Look Like

The New York Yankees were surely relieved when they landed infielder DJ LeMahieu in free agency last offseason. He was a two-time All-Star with Colorado and won the NL batting title back in 2016 with a remarkable .348 average. However, not even GM Brian Cashman could've guessed that the nine-year veteran was going to enjoy his best season as a pro in 2019.

LeMahieu is entering the final season of his two-year, $24 million deal with the Yankees and he's been pretty open about wanting to remain in New York. That begs the question: what would a contract extension for the 31-year-old star look like?

While pocketing $12 million -- which ranked fourth among all second basemen last year -- on his current deal, LeMahieu ultimately proved that he was underpaid. In 145 games, he hit .327/.375/.518 with a career-high 26 home runs, 102 RBI, 109 runs scored and an .889 OPS.

Any player who finishes fourth in AL MVP voting is deserving of a raise, and the Yankees should offer their stud leadoff hitter somewhere between $15-18 annually. A three-year, $49 million extension, or something in that vicinity, could work.

Not only would LeMahieu receive the promotion he's earned, but the Yankees' payroll wouldn't take a severe hit given what he's proven capable of doing. The club needs to keep the 2019 Silver Slugger around at all costs, and this extension should convince him to spend the rest of his prime years in the Bronx.