Yankees Notes for 2/9

Other recent posts:

Prospect Rankings Chart
Thoughts on Paul Goldschmidt (if you like the signing, prepare to be triggered)
Non-roster invitee primer

1. The Yankees acquire UTIL Max Schuemann from the Athletics for RHP Luis Burgos

“Who da heck is Luis Burgos?”  I’ll tell you:  He’s a 20-year-old Rookie League pitcher coming off a decent campaign (2.44 ERA (4.25 FIP) with a 55.5% GB in 51.2 innings). That’s all I have for you.

“Who da heck is Max Schuemann?” I’ll tell you: A depth piece we shouldn’t get too worked up over. Last week, I wrote that the Yankees don’t have a true backup shortstop as long as Jose Caballero is the starter. We have to wait and see if Oswaldo Cabrera is healthy. Amed Rosario can play anywhere, but playing him at shortstop is a death wish.

Schuemann fits the “defense first” utility profile. He can’t hit at all, to the point that the Athletics played him in 101 games but gave him only 213 plate appearances in 2025. In those plate appearances, he hit .197/.295/.273 (62 wRC+) with two home runs and seven stolen bases.  Remember that the Athletics played in one of the most extreme offensive ballparks. Defense is where he shines, and he isn’t one of those “He can’t hit, so he must be a good fielder regardless of evidence to the contrary” types. In 2025, he was +8 in OAA, including a +5 at 2B (202 innings), +4 at 3B (119.2 innings), and +1 at SS (128.2 innings).  He also has limited experience in the outfield, where he compiled a -2 OAA in 2025. He can also pinch-run, as he is 21-for-23 stealing bases in 234 career games.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated Yanquiel Fernandez (recently claimed from the Rockies) for assignment. We’ll see if the power-first outfielder can clear waivers.

Bottom Line:

I can’t believe I am saying this, but Schuemann has value. It isn’t much value, but his glove is very good, and he can draw some walks (10.3% in 2025), which allows him to utilize his speed. You can do much worse at the end of the bench. When Anthony Volpe returns, Schuemann (if he makes the team) has the added benefit of three minor-league options.

2. The Yankees outrighted UTIL Braden Shewmake and RHP Dom Hamel to Scranton

Add both to the list of non-roster invitees in Spring Training. Shewmake should compete for the final roster spot (with Cabrera, Schuemann, and whoever else), while Hamel is likely looking to provide Triple-A pitching depth, whether as a starter or a reliever.

My broken record is still out: This is why you claim players, even if you don’t think they will stick on the 40-man roster. Veterans littering the Triple-A landscape is nothing revolutionary. It’s an MLB depth league (for the most part). Shewmake lasted the entire 2025 campaign on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, which shows me they see value in him (he does have a first-round pedigree, so there’s that).

3. Former Yankees are off to the Red Sox

The Brewers shipped infielder Caleb Durbin and catcher/infielder Anthony Seigler to the Red Sox today.

Yankees’ fans have an attachment to Durbin, who put together a .256/.334/.387 (105 wRC+) line for Milwaukee in 2025.  Combining that with his average-ish defense equated to a 2.6 fWAR. While he doesn’t offer much power,  he hit 11 home runs in 2025 and can potentially take advantage of the Big Monster to improve on his 25 doubles. He’s a contact-first infielder with some speed and defense, a valuable player to have around but likely not worth fretting over much.

Seigler, a first-round pick by the Yankees, made his MLB debut in 2025. He went 12-for-62 (.194) with a double. Once considered an athletic, switch-hitting catcher with extreme upside, injuries (and, to be fair, ineffectiveness) held him back. His biggest strength in the minors (drawing walks) translated in his cup of coffee (11%), but it is hard to envision him as anything more than a depth piece in Boston.

Bottom Line:

This wasn’t a bad trade for the Red Sox. I wouldn’t mind having Durbin on the Yankees’ bench, though his inability to play shortstop would be a deterrent. He outperformed my expectations last season and even finished third in the Rookie of the Year race.

He feels like one of those players that people will look up on BaseballReference in 2142 and be surprised he somehow had a 10-year career with 15 different franchises. If only I could be alive to explain it to them.