Jon Morosi of MLB Network speculated on Thursday that the Seattle Mariners could be a potential fit for LeMahieu, who had a 91 OPS+ through 45 games this season.

The ultimate decision to let the 37-year-old LeMahieu go had to do with the versatility of the roster once it was decided that Jazz Chisholm Jr. would go forward as the starting second baseman instead of LeMahieu. Since he joined the Yankees LeMahieu has played a lot of third base, but he’d begun to find the position too physically taxing.

On Wednesday, the Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment even though they still owe him approximately $22 million through next season.

The New York Yankees designated DJ LeMahieu for assignment, cutting him loose with nearly two years left on his deal.

One day after Aaron Boone declared DJ LeMahieu “a bat off the bench” and physically challenged by the third base position, the Yankees designated the two-time batting champ for assignment. The team announced the decision on Wednesday. The Yankees still owe LeMahieu, 36, about $22 million.

The DFA leaves the Yankees on the hook for the roughly $22 million left on LeMahieu’s contract through next season. The former two-time batting champion signed a six-year, $90 million deal entering the 2021 season.

Yankees Deny Report Linking Judge to 2024 LeMahieu Roster Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Rookie Cam Schlittler was crowned the Yankees’ fastball king, overpowering the Mariners over 5.2 innings in a 9-6 victory. The 22-year-old righthander topped out at 100-mph in his major league debut. No Yankee has thrown a triple-digit fastball since Aroldis Chapman in 2022.