New York Yankees: A case for DJ LeMahieu for MVP

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DJ LeMahieu has been extremely valuable to the New York Yankees in a season where they’ve suffered far too many injuries, but does he have what it takes to be awarded the AL MVP?

Looking back at all of the moves the New York Yankees made prior to the 2019 MLB season, signing DJ LeMahieu might just be the very best one. It’s not just that he’s having, arguably, the best season of his career, it’s the whole package.

Before we jump into all of the reasons why a case can be made for the AL MVP to be awarded to LeMahieu, let’s address TWO elephants in the room.

First, we must agree on a universal definition for MVP. Lucky for us, Baseball-Reference provides an explanation of the award and, surprisingly, it’s rather fair.

The Most Valuable Player Award (or MVP) in Major League Baseball is given to a player in each league who has contributed the most to the success of the player’s team. It is awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America. There have been three interations of MLB MVP awards. The first two were awarded in the 1910s and 1920s, however the award did not become an annual one until 1931.

Secondly, according to the aforementioned definition, Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is by far the best player in MLB this season, perhaps even all-time. He is also, if we use fWAR as a standard measure, contributing the most to the success — if that’s what you want to call it — of his team. At least, offensively.

However, what fun would it be if we just concede the award to Trout?

Look closer at a player’s contributions to a team this season and you could argue that it’s DJ LeMahieu who’s contributed the most to his team’s success. Here’s why:

Why DJ LeMahieu can win the 2019 AL MVP Award

The New York Yankees have suffered an unprecedented number of injuries this season. In fact, currently, there are 18 injured players on the roster. That’s not including injuries suffered to a number of other players earlier in the season.

Related to this, LeMahieu’s has contributed to the team’s success in this regard because he has played THREE different positions rather well. He started the season at second base because of an injury to Didi Gregorious.

Having played most of his career at this position, naturally, LeMahieu was very good. In fact, in 518.2 innings at second this season, LeMahieu has a +4 DRS. Only Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sanchez (+5 DRS) has a better DRS among second basemen in the American League.

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Also, when Miguel Andujar was lost for the season at the beginning of the year, LeMahieu filled in at third base, and actually posted a +1 DRS in 295 innings played there. Other Yankee players who have played some third include Gio Urshela and Tyler Wade.

Unlike LeMahieu, however, Urshela has posted a -3 DRS and Wade a -1 DRS.

Lastly, after the Yankees lost first baseman Luke Voit to injury this season, LeMahieu was there to save the day. Having only played first base for a total of 13 innings prior to this season, LeMahieu went on to log 226 innings at first in 2019 alone.

What’s more, he did it rather well. Having posted a 0 DRS, LeMahieu ranks 25 of 51 players who have logged at least 200 innings at first, worst of which is Luke Voit who has a -7 DRS.

Finally, offensively, DJ LeMahieu has been a force to be reckoned with as a member of the New York Yankees. Of all MLB players this season, LeMahieu is tied with Mookie Betts for eighth in fWAR (4.8). He leads the AL in batting average (.335) and ranks top 10 wOBA (.384) and wRC+ (141).

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So, sure, Mike Trout is a once in a lifetime type of talent who happens to be having the best season of his career and is deserving of the award. However, who has really contributed most to his team’s success?

I think it’s hard to argue against DJ.

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