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Colorado Rockies: What DJ LeMahieu’s departure means for the franchise

By Ryan Ladika

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 8: Second baseman DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies turns a double play after forcing Denard Span #4 of the Seattle Mariners at first base on a ball hit Ryon Healy #27 of the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a game at Safeco Field on July 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 8: Second baseman DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies turns a double play after forcing Denard Span #4 of the Seattle Mariners at first base on a ball hit Ryon Healy #27 of the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a game at Safeco Field on July 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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DJ LeMahieu of the Colorado Rockies
ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 27: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 27, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

This brings us to why he was attractive to the Yankees, despite such offensive regression. The Yankees were much better than the Rockies offensively in 2018. By wRC+, the Yankees were tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best team in baseball, with a mark of 111. According to baseballreference.com, the Yankees were the third best team in baseball with an OPS+ of 108.

Where the Yankees struggled was in the field. By Fangraphs’ Def stat, the Yankees were the 13th-worst team in baseball, with a mark of -1.9 runs. By Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), the Yankees’ 24 were the 14th-worst mark in the big leagues. This signing is purely to give the Bronx Bombers a boost in defense, and anything LeMahieu provides offensively is icing on the cake. Curry later reported that the Yankees envision a utility role for LeMahieu in order to maximize his defensive value.

Looking back at the Rockies side, McMahon and Hampson will play for the starting second base job as I mentioned before. Hampson has been the model of consistency throughout his time in the Rockies organization. His weighted runs created plus (wRC+), where 100 is league-average, in each level of the minor leagues: 138 in Low-A in 2016, 130 in High-A in 2017, 141 in Double-A in 2018, and 121 in Triple-A in 2018. He was even able to amass 0.2 fWAR in the 24 games he appeared in for the Rockies late last year. He will surely be looking to prove he can continue that kind of offensive production in the big leagues over the course of a full season.

McMahon has also experienced great success in the minors. His wRC+ by level: 147 in Rookie-League in 2013, 137 in Single-A in 2014, 141 in High-A in 2015, 101 in Double-A in 2016, 151 in Double-A in 2017, 161 in Triple-A in 2017, and 123 in Triple-A in 2018. Like Hampson, McMahon has been above average (above 100) at creating runs every season.

Next. When could Brendan Rodgers join the Rockies?. dark

The Rockies are ready to give the youth a chance, and that’s a good thing. As the Rockies embark on another push for their first division title, relying on McMahon and Hampson should give Colorado a much-needed offensive boost.

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