Yankees: Latest trade with Giants could pave way for Clarke Schmidt

The Yankees acquired catcher Rob Brantly from the Giants on Wednesday.

Is this it? Is Clarke Schmidt finally going to get the promotion to the New York Yankees active roster?

On Wednesday, general manager Brian Cashman made a low-profile trade, acquiring catcher Rob Brantly from the San Francisco Giants. What does that have to do with Schmidt? Well, it allows the Yankees to designate backup catcher Erik Kratz for assignment to create another opening on the roster.

It’s been speculated that could happen to make room for another pitcher.

The New York Yankees announced today that they have acquired C Rob Brantly from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. Brantly has been added to the Yankees’ 60-man roster and assigned to the Alternate Site.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 26, 2020

Manager Aaron Boone commented on a potential roster move involving Schmidt, stating it was “complicated” because he’s not currently on the 40-man roster. However, it seems the need for pitching has exponentially increased after Tuesday’s postponement has forced the Yanks to play three doubleheaders between Wednesday and Sunday.

The Yankees likely don’t want to completely rid themselves of Kratz, but he’s the obvious choice to DFA right now. If he doesn’t clear waivers (and there’s a solid chance he doesn’t given his valuable veteran experience) the Yankees now have Brantly at the alternate site to bring up if they need catching help as Kyle Higashioka recovers from injury.

In summation, this trade could be a tertiary move to pave the way for Schmidt to join the pitching staff.

This Yankees trade sounds to me like the Yankees might be thinking they have to DFA Erik Kratz some time this weekend to make room for pitching, and if they can't re-sign Kratz, they'll have Rob Brantly ready at the alternate site.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) August 26, 2020

The Yankees have two games against the Braves on Wednesday in which Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka will start, but that creates a problem because now neither will be on normal rest come Sunday. With James Paxton on the injured list, Boone now has a serious situation on his hands with JA Happ and Jordan Montgomery as the only options to start with five games waiting between Friday and Sunday.

Cashman is likely working tirelessly to acquire more pitching before the Aug. 31 deadline, but this minor move could finally give fans what they’ve been asking for since summer camp. Let’s hope Clarke Schmidt is in pinstripes come this weekend.

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The Yankees acquired catcher Rob Brantly from the Giants on Wednesday.

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