The New York Yankees and highly-coveted free agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu are off by more than $25 million when it comes to contract negotiations, according to a report from Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media.

LeMahieu, who ranks fourth on TSN's Top 50 MLB Free Agents, is aware that he's the Yankees' top priority, but it doesn't appear a deal will be agreed upon anytime soon with spring training not starting until February, says Kuty.

Furthermore, Joel Sherman of The New York Post says LeMahieu will start to "consider other options more seriously."

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in LeMahieu, according to Kuty, as well as other notable free agents including Cy Young winter Trevor Bauer and three-time All-Star centre fielder George Springer.

The 32-year-old LeMahieu hit .364 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs over 50 games last season with the Yankees, his second year playing in New York. In his first season with the Yankees, LeMahieu hit .327 with 26 homers and 102 RBIs, good enough to earn his third career All-Star appearance.

LeMahieu spent the first eight years of his career with the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies.

The Louisiana State product is coming off a two-year, $24 million deal.