The New York Yankees are facing important decisions for their team this offseason, including the possibility of trading starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt.
In 2023, Schmidt performed well for the Yankees, earning approximately $740,000 and achieving a 9-9 record in 33 games.
Schmidt's success can be partially attributed to injuries affecting other star pitchers like Nestor Cortes Jr., Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino.
Despite his lower-end contract, Schmidt has proven to be a cost-effective and reliable option for the Yankees.
Team owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman are exploring various options to improve the team, which could affect the status of players on the roster.
If Schmidt were to be traded, he could potentially bring back a pitcher of similar value or a strong batter to strengthen the Yankees' rotation.
Schmidt possesses a well-rounded pitching arsenal, including a cutter, sweeper, sinker, and curveball.
He added the cutter to handle left-handed batters, and it proved effective in generating swings and misses.
Schmidt excels in controlling walk rates and performs even better against right-handed batters.
As a 28-year-old player, the Yankees must decide whether to retain Schmidt or explore trade opportunities to enhance their team.