Some trades don’t shake up the transfer market, but they reveal a lot about how a team is thinking. The Athletics’ trade of Max Schuemann to the New York Yankees is a prime example.
Schuemann didn’t leave Oakland in glory. He had just been designated for assignment after the Yankees claimed Andy Ibåñezâa move that showed the team had decided to change its infield priorities. Just a week later, Schuemann found a new home in the Bronx, in exchange for 20-year-old Luis Burgos, who hadn’t even left the Dominican Summer League.
The surface of the trade is clear: the Yankees needed defensive depth; the Yankees needed roster space and a ticket to the future. But behind it lies a story about rolesâand limitations.
In the past two seasons, Schuemann failed to make an impact with his bat. 78 wRC+ on 672 plate appearances is a difficult number to excuse in modern MLB. However, what kept him longer than expected was his defensive prowess. Schuemann could play shortstop, second base, third base, and all three outfield positionsâa true “Swiss knife.” Last year, he was in the top 5% of MLB Outs Above Average. For a team needing roster patching, that’s real value.
And that’s why the Yankees agreed.
New York is entering the 2026 season with significant health questions. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a history of injuries. Anthony Volpe is recovering from shoulder surgery and is unlikely to be fit for Opening Day. In that context, a good, versatile glove player who can step in when neededâeven without offensive flairâis a logical choice. Schuemann wasn’t brought in to be a starter. He was brought in to avoid the team losing by having to fill a void.
For the Lakers, what they got wasn’t certainty, but time. Luis Burgos is only 20 years old, shooting 79 2/3 innings in the DSL with an ERA of 3.39. But his secondary stats suggest a long road ahead: 8.0 K/9, 4.7 BB/9ânot yet high bat miss rate, rough control. This is the type of pitcher that needs many seasonsings, many mechanical adjustments, and a lot of patience.
And that’s exactly the philosophy A’s is pursuing.
After bringing in Ibåñez, Oakland chose short-term stability at third base and opened the door to other options in the system. Schuemannâthough usefulâno longer fits that picture. Instead of keeping a player with a clear contribution ceiling, A’s accepted the trade-off to accumulate more young talent. Burgos may never make it to MLB. But the opportunity cost here is low.
The most noteworthy aspect of the trade isn’t the name, but the speed. From DFA to trade in just a few days. No fuss, no drag-out. That shows Aâs was ready to move onâand the Yankees were ready to capitalize.
This is the kind of trade you can only really judge after a few years. If Schuemann helps the Yankees get through a man-possession slump without conceding goals, they win immediately. If Burgos develops into a useful arm, Aâs wins in the long term. And if both are just average? Itâs still a sensible decision in the current climate.
Not every trade needs headlines. Some just need the right placeâthe right time. And the Max Schuemann trade seems to be one of those.
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