The slow low season of the Yankees is starting to be a problem for Michael Kay.
The YES Network matchmaker and ESPN radio host took the team to task on Thursday following the Mets trade for Francisco Lindor.
The Yankees’ low season is apparently halted until DJ LeMahieu – the team’s top priority – makes his free agency decision. The icy-paced baseball season allows for patience, but that changed on Thursday, at least for Kay.
“Here’s the deal: I always felt like a perfect plan B if I didn’t sign DJ LeMahieu it would be pivoting, getting Francisco Lindor, moving Gleyber Torres to second. Boom, you’ve improved your defense, ”Kay said on his radio show, via NJ.com.
“I’ve always been very, very honest when people said,‘ Why don’t you sign LeMahieu? I said, ‘Well, what’s the rush? The big players (free agents) are still there. Trevor Bauer has not signed. George Springer has not signed. JT Realmuto has not signed. And DJ has not signed. Very slow market. But if this slow game of chicken played by the Yankees and LeMahieu costs Lindor a chance, that’s a bad job. “
The Yankees are determined not to exceed the $ 210 million luxury tax threshold this off-season, leaving them with about $ 30 million to spend.
Prior to Lindor’s acquisition, the Mets were considered one of LeMahieu’s potential challengers. The Dodgers and Blue Jays remain threats.
Joel Sherman of The Post reported in mid-December that the Yankees and LeMahieu had a $ 25 million difference in contract negotiations. Aside from wanting to retain LeMahieu, the Yankees also have a clear lack of depth in their rotation. The Mets trade also awarded them to Carlos Carrasco, a veteran quality starter.
“You can’t sit here until February and allow DJ LeMahieu to make a decision,” said Kay, who began the show on Thursday an hour earlier to talk about Lindor’s latest news.
“And if you’re DJ LeMahieu, you can’t sit there and let the Yankees play their game. They both have to get together: “What’s your best offer for me right now?” And if the DJ agent said (to the Yankees), “The only way to do that is five years,” when he knows it will take four … They have to come to a meeting of Jesus and tell them exactly what the deal is because if all this positioning costs you your plan B, it’s not good.
“Now is the time to do it or get out of the pot. Do you want to sign with us or not? Will you make me an offer or not? It’s enough to play. “