TAMPA, Fla. — DJ LeMahieu watched Trevor Story’s free agency closely. The two were teammates in Colorado, of course he had some interest where the shortstop would end up.
The Yankees flirted with the idea of adding Story, then moved on to trade for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. On Sunday, Story agreed to a deal with the Red Sox.
“It’s the one team I didn’t want him to go to,” LeMahieu said Monday morning. “He’s a great player. You don’t want to have to face him so many times. But I texted him yesterday and I am excited for him.”
Now, LeMahieu will have to face his former teammate 19 times a year in the biggest rivalry in the sport.
Story will also shift over to second base in Boston.
“He’s very athletic,” LeMahieu said. “He can play anywhere.”
Versatility is a new skill set in baseball that is being valued more than ever.
Being versatile obviously helped LeMahieu, a Gold Glove second baseman who signed with the Yankees after the 2018 season to be a super utility player. At the time, when the Yankees had Didi Gregorious and Gleyber Torres at short and second, everyone was scratching their heads over the move.
Two years later, he turned that ability to play third, first and second base — along with two superb offensive seasons — into a six-year, $90 million deal with the Bombers. LeMahieu signed that deal with the Yankees expecting him to play second base, since Gleyber Torres was supposed to be the Bombers’ shortstop of the future.
That didn’t work out, the Yankees explored their options at shortstop. They did due diligence on superstar Carlos Correa and then checked in on Story, but Kiner-Falefa was their target all along.
Which leaves LeMahieu back in his role as the super utility player.
“It’s kind of my skill set,” LeMahieu said last month. “I am used to it now.”
The Yankees brought in Marwin Gonzalez, who can play every infield position, catcher and play the outfield, on a minor league deal Sunday.
