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By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Yankees earned a blowout win against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, as a stark infield shuffle might have been the key to a much-needed turnaround.
In the midst of a rough stretch, the Yankees opted to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base and demote DJ LeMahieu to the bench, a move that solicited a harsh reaction from the veteran.
"Not great necessarily," was how manager Aaron Boone described LeMahieu's response to the news, per The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. "That's kind of the situation we're in right now."
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Boone added that LeMahieu is struggling physically to man the infield. He's suffered numerous injury setbacks during his Yankees tenure. And he's been hitting for little power this year, with a .336 slugging percentage and just two homers to this point in the year.
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But without a clear role for him on the team, the Yankees could be preparing to move on entirely from the infielder.
"So, where does that leave LeMahieu?" asked NJ.com's Max Goodman. "Soon, possibly packing his bags."
Goodman noted that LeMahieu could be on the chopping block as the Yankees look to an external upgrade for third base. Oswald Peraza seems unlikely to turn things around at the plate and could be replaced as well.
"If a team is going to carry a weaker hitter on their bench, either they need to be a backup catcher or a utility option," Goodman wrote. "(LeMahieu is) owed the rest of his $15 million salary for this year and $15 million more for next year, but the Yankees may need to eat that money sooner than later if they're able to bring in a better option."
With the trade deadline looming and the Yankees linked to several external upgrades, LeMahieu's remaining time with the team could be limited.
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