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Dodgers: Five way too early 2021 free agent targets

By Jeffrey Bellone

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 04: Marcus Stroman #7 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 4, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 04: Marcus Stroman #7 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 4, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees tosses the ball to first base for an out on a ball hit by Jake Cave #60 of the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning of game two of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

DJ LeMahieu

If the Dodgers end up losing or decide to let Justin Turner and Enrique Hernandez walk next offseason, they will need reinforcements in the infield. Who better to fill a bunch of holes than super-utility man DJ LeMahieu?

Signed to a two-year, $24 million contract with the Yankees before last season, he played at least 40 games at three different positions (second base, third base, and first base). He also batted an impressive .327/.375/.518 with 26 home runs and 109 RBIs. Another season like that, and the 31-year-old could be looking at a lucrative contract next offseason.

While LeMahieu isn’t going to sell tickets at the box office, he is a manager’s best friend, as a player who can do a little bit of everything. And if you’re worried that his 2019 totals were a fluke, all of the underlying metrics suggests they were not. He hit the ball harder than 90 percent of the league last season, leading to an expected batting average of .322. In other words, based on his magnitude of contact, his actual batting average of .327 is right where it should be—he didn’t survive on lucky hits.

The 31-year-old infielder didn’t just field many positions, he covered them well. His outs above average (OAA) ranked in the 90th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. He had positive defensive metrics at first base, second base, and third base last season.

Ideally, the Dodgers would be able to bring back Justin Turner on a short-term deal, and then a player like LeMahieu could become a super-utility man who could fill in for players all over the diamond, and provide right-handed support for Gavin Lux and Max Muncy.

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