MLB Weekly Digest January 18th Edition: Yankees Sign DJ LeMahieu

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The previous week in MLB was about a team in the American League signing an infielder and adding a starting pitcher.

A team bolsters their bullpen by signing a closer to a multi-year pact.

New York Yankees Sign Infielder DJ LeMahieu to Six-Year Deal

The hits keep playing in the Bronx.

DJ LeMahieu is reportedly returning to the @Yankees on a 6-year, $90 million deal, per @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/dlpbX2AlK1

— MLB (@MLB) January 15, 2021

The New York Yankees have signed infielder DJ LeMahieu to a six-year, $90-million deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Second baseman DJ LeMahieu and the New York Yankees are finalizing a six-year, $90M contract, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.

LeMahieu’s return to New York always felt inevitable. It took a while. But he wanted to be there and Yankees get top free agent target.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2021

The Yankees bringing back LeMahieu was the primary focus for the team this offseason.

The infielder has been phenomenal in his two seasons in pinstripes and won the American League batting title last year by posting a .364 average.

There is a case to be made that LeMahieu is the most important hitter in the Yankees’ lineup, surprising as the team also has outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

LeMahieu had previously said the Yankees were the team he wanted to sign with, but it took some time for both sides to reach an agreement.

He sought a deal worth at least $100 million, but signing an agreement for $90 million is not bad.

The deal is fantastic for the Yankees as the contract does not have a high average annual value.

This is important for them as they want to remain under the luxury-tax threshold.

Chicago White Sox Sign Closer Liam Hendriks to Four-Year Contract

The Chicago White Sox have added one of the best closers in MLB to their team by signing closer Liam Hendriks to a four-year, $54-million contract, per a team announcement.

OFFICIAL: The #WhiteSox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $54-million contract with free agent All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, which includes a $1-million signing bonus.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) January 15, 2021

Hendriks will make $11 million during the 2021 season, $13 million in 2022, and $14 million in 2023.

The contract has a unique stipulation in the fourth year.

The White Sox have a $15-million option or a $15-million buyout they can exercise in 2024.

If the White Sox decline the option, the buyout will be paid in 10 equal installments between 2024-33.

Hendriks has been one of the best relievers in the American League over the past two seasons.

He has compiled a 1.79 ERA in 110 1/3 innings pitched (99 appearances) with 39 saves, 161 strikeouts, 24 walks issued, six home runs surrendered, a 237 ERA+, 1.70 FIP, 0.89 WHIP, and 13.1 SO/9.

The White Sox have added a stellar closer to their bullpen.

The White Sox signed a very good pitcher. pic.twitter.com/4E2u2dYIMH

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) January 15, 2021

The team has been active during the offseason as they added starting pitcher Lance Lynn and outfielder Adam Eaton.

They made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008 and have a chance to be one of the best teams in the AL, given the moves they have made in the offseason.

New York Yankees Sign Starting Pitcher Corey Kluber to One-Year Deal

The New York Yankees have signed starting pitcher Corey Kluber to a one-year contract worth $11 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Kluber's deal with the Yankees is expected to be for one year and $11 million, per source.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 16, 2021

Kluber has dealt with shoulder issues the past two seasons.

He threw just one inning for the Texas Rangers last season, and in 2019, completed only 35 2/3 innings with the Cleveland Indians.

However, he had a showcase for 25 teams last week and threw 30 pitches.

Kluber was one of the best starting pitchers in the AL before the problem with his shoulder.

From 2014-18 with the Indians, he posted a 2.85 ERA in 1,091 1/3 innings pitched with 1,228 strikeouts, a 151 ERA+, 2.83 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, and winning the Cy Young Award in 2014 and 2017.

The current shoulder issues can probably be linked to the number of innings he tossed over those five years.

If Kluber is healthy and can resemble the pitcher from that magical five-year stretch, the Yankees have added a solid pitcher to their rotation.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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