A surprising new twist has hit the trade rumor mill: the Chicago Cubs have surged to the front of the pack in the pursuit of Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt, who has quickly become a highly intriguing trade target this offseason.
The speed with which the Cubs have positioned themselves as the favorite is what has surprised many around the league, signaling a real push by Jed Hoyer to acquire high-upside pitching that could flourish under a new development plan.
📈 The Pitcher: Untapped Potential
The pitcher in question is Clarke Schmidt, a former first-round draft pick for the Yankees who has repeatedly flashed ace-level stuff but has struggled to find consistent command:
- Raw Stuff and Upside: Schmidt, now 30, possesses a dynamic arsenal, featuring a high-velocity fastball and a nasty cutter/slider mix. Scouts believe the “raw stuff” is there for a frontline starter, a potential the Cubs development staff is keen to unlock.
- The Yankees’ Dilemma: Schmidt signed a one-year, $\text{\$4.5}$ million contract with the Yankees to avoid arbitration for 2026 (Source 1.3). While he’s a reliable arm, the Yankees have a rotation logjam (Cole, Rodón, Grisham, plus prospects like Schlittler and Gil) and may view Schmidt as expendable for the right return.
🐻 Why the Cubs Are the Favorites
The Cubs’ pursuit feels less like a rumor and more like the start of a real push because Schmidt fits their strategic needs perfectly:
- Rotation Reshaping: The Cubs are actively reshaping their rotation, especially after Shota Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer (Source 1.4). They need durable, high-upside arms to slot in behind Imanaga and Justin Steele.
- Targeting ‘Fixable’ Pitchers: The Cubs have shown a willingness to acquire pitchers with strong raw metrics but inconsistent results (like Jameson Taillon and Shane Bieber). Schmidt’s profile—high strikeouts, but also prone to the long ball—makes him a prime candidate for a change-of-scenery bump under the tutelage of Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.
- Trade Asset Flexibility: The Yankees have a massive surplus of high-upside outfield prospects (like Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones) who are likely to be traded to bolster their pitching or bullpen depth (Source 1.1, 1.2). While the Cubs have been linked to these outfielders, it is often easier to trade Major League-ready pitching for prospects, giving the Cubs a high-value chip.
A deal for Schmidt would be a classic “buy-low” move, giving the Cubs a cost-controlled starter who could pull off a sneaky, high-value transition to the National League.
