Didi Gregorius appears to be open to a reunion with the Yankees, but it would likely be contingent on DJ LeMahieu.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” the free agent shortstop said on “The Michael Kay Show” on Wednesday.
“All I can say is I had a really good time playing there. But at the end, it’s in their hands. Who knows what’s going to happen in the future with LeMahieu or with the Yankees and all that stuff? They’re making their decision of what they plan to do.”
The Yankees have made it abundantly clear that LeMahieu is the team’s “No. 1 priority to bring back,” but the sides remain more than $25 million apart in negotiations. Should the Yankees fail to re-sign LeMahieu, they could move Gleyber Torres back to second base and begin pursuing a new – or maybe an old – shortstop.
After Gregorius, coming back from Tommy John surgery, struggled during the last of his five seasons with the Yankees in 2019, they let him walk. Torres slid over to shortstop and LeMahieu took over second base full time.
Gregorius then signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Phillies, which turned into $5.19 million when it was prorated for the shortened season. Competing in all 60 games, Gregorius was able to reestablish himself by batting .284 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs.
Signing in Philadelphia reunited Gregorius with Joe Giradi, who was the Yankees manager during his first three seasons in the Bronx. Girardi became manager of the Phillies just a few months before the organization signed Gregorius.
But with Phillies owner John Middleton recently voicing the franchise’s financial problems, Gregorius may not be able to get the kind of deal he’s looking for in Philadelphia.
Gregorius made it clear that he adored his time in New York and that he still has love for Yankees fans.
“That’s one thing to appreciate,” Gregorius said. “If you do something wrong, they will let you know. If you do something good, they will let you know. They’re always trying to push the players because they want their players to do good.
“I still get (Yankee fans) commenting on stuff that I post on Instagram or on Twitter. It just makes them happy if you go out there and give it your best. I think fans can actually see that you’re not being nonchalant and playing hard.”