Yankees can thank DJ LeMahieu for molding Ryan McMahon's brilliance

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The Yankees went from having one of the worst third base situations in the majors to one of the best — and DJ LeMahieu is the main reason why.

Not just because his inability to play the position this season forced Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to the spot, where he was a below-average defender.

Not just because LeMahieu struggled at the plate and at second base to such an extent that the Yankees released the respected veteran, even with nearly $22 million remaining on his contract through next year.

It’s also because the player who replaced LeMahieu in the Yankees infield, Ryan McMahon, is among the top defe