“The Machine” may soon be the MVP.
DJ LeMahieu, who finished fourth in last season’s voting, was named a finalist for the AL MVP award on Monday night along with the Indians’ Jose Ramirez and the White Sox’s Jose Abreu. A win would give the Yankees infielder his first MVP award.
The 32-year-old, who is a big part of the Yankees’ free-agency decisions this offseason, was the team’s most steady bat in the 60-game 2020 season. He batted a league-leading .364 with a 1.011 OPS, a .421 on-base percentage, 10 home runs and 27 RBIs while playing Gold Glove-level defense. LeMahieu would become a free agent if he declines the Yankees’ $18.9 million qualifying offer.
Abreu led the White Sox to a breakout season while hitting .317 with 19 homers and a league-leading 60 RBIs. He slugged .671. Ramirez batted .292 with a league-leading 45 runs scored, 17 home runs, 46 RBIs and .993 OPS.
The winner will be announce on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.