Ex-Rockies LeMahieu, Ottavino starring for Yankees

When the Rockies arrive in the Bronx on Friday, the Yankees may want to roll out a red carpet or perhaps leave some fruit baskets in the visiting clubhouse — anything to show some appreciation.

The message? Thanks for allowing DJ LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino to get away.

After the Rockies let the players walk following last season, they both chose pinstripes and are playing integral roles on a team that sits atop the AL East.

“They’ve been huge parts of our club,” manager Aaron Boone said Thursday, before the Yankees swept the Rays, 6-2 and 5-1 in a doubleheader.

LeMahieu, who went 1-for-5 in the first game, didn’t play in the nightcap. Ottavino pitched the final 1 ¹/₃ innings of Game 2, retiring all four batters he faced, striking out two.

LeMahieu spent seven years with Colorado, where he was a two-time All-Star and won a batting title in 2016. But the Rockies had a few infield prospects on the cusp of making the big leagues entering this season and weren’t exactly big spenders in the offseason. Instead, they used their money extending Nolan Arenado (eight years, $260 million) and signing free-agent first baseman Daniel Murphy (two years, $24 million).

The Yankees scooped up LeMahieu on a deal identical to the one Colorado gave Murphy, and they have reaped the rewards. LeMahieu has helped cover for the Yankees’ numerous injuries, splitting time at first base, second base and third base while hitting wherever he goes. The American League’s starting All-Star second baseman entered Thursday batting an AL-best .331 with 13 home runs, an .886 OPS and 3.8 WAR, per Baseball Reference.

Murphy’s WAR was 0.1, while LeMahieu’s main replacement at second base for Colorado, Ryan McMahon, had a WAR of 0.7.

“Obviously DJ, starting in the All-Star Game, deservedly so, has been everything we could have hoped for,” Boone said. “Came in with a great reputation behind the scenes. He’s been that and more. Then between the lines, he’s been a great player for us on both sides of the ball, and the defensive flexibility he’s given us, really the first time in that role where he’s bounced around so much, has been invaluable.”

An offseason after the Rockies spent $106 million improving their bullpen, they did not have the money to keep Ottavino, who pitched seven seasons for them. The Brooklyn native instead signed with the Yankees on a three-year, $27 million deal and has been a key weapon out of the bullpen. Ottavino entered Thursday with a 1.76 ERA in 41 innings.

“One of the strengths of our team is our bullpen and he’s right in the middle of that,” Boone said. “He’s pitched a lot, he’s pitched in high-leverage spots throughout the year, and by and large done the job for us. I think his work ethic, he puts himself in such a good position every day to be a quality option for us, he wants the ball — all those intangible things that you like. But he’s been terrific.”

Source: Nypost.com

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