As Spring Training approaches, the Yankees are relying on a mix of DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera to fill the third base spot. Once promising players, their potential has since waned, and in LeMahieu’s case, his past batting champion form seems like a distant memory.
Does this mean LeMahieu can’t bounce back, or that Peraza and Cabrera can’t perform well? Not necessarily, but this isn’t the type of risk a playoff-bound team should take, especially when relying on one-year rental players like Devin Williams. The Yankees have already experienced one lesson with Juan Soto, and repeating that mistake could hurt their reputation.
The Yankees have explored multiple options for infield help. GM Brian Cashman has made inquiries, but Marcus Stroman’s contract has been a roadblock. Without moving his salary, owner Hal Steinbrenner is reluctant to increase the payroll, meaning any infield addition must come at a low cost.
On the other side of town, the Mets face a similar challenge. Their search for a starter has led them to Garrett Crochet and Dylan Cease, but the asking prices were too steep. With Pete Alonso back, the Mets don’t have much room for young stars. Like Steinbrenner, Mets owner Steve Cohen isn’t keen on adding more to the payroll after securing Juan Soto to a massive $765 million deal. However, if the two teams can find common ground, money might not be as big of an issue.
With plenty of prospects to spare, the Mets could trade from their depth, while the Yankees have rotation options to offer. A low-cost, mutually beneficial compromise might be the solution—could the two New York teams strike a deal?
Trading Clarke Schmidt for Luisangel Acuna
New York Yankees Receive:
- SS/2B/OF Luisangel Acuña (Mets No. 12 prospect)
- RHP Huascar Brazoban
New York Mets Receive:
- RHP Clarke Schmidt
Heading to the Mets in this deal would be Clarke Schmidt, a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 2020. Schmidt had limited innings in his first two years, but showed promise as a hybrid starter/reliever in 2022. He struggled when given a full-time starting role in 2023, but made significant strides in 2024, despite missing half the season due to injury.
In 85.1 innings over 16 starts, Schmidt posted a 2.85 ERA. With a $3.6 million salary for 2025, Schmidt is affordable and under team control through 2027, providing the Mets with a solid mid-rotation starter to complement Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea. For the Yankees, trading Schmidt leaves them with other starting options, including Marcus Stroman, JT Brubaker, Chase Hampton, Will Warren, Zach Messinger, and Allan Winans.
The centerpiece for the Yankees in this trade is the Mets’ No. 12 prospect, Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. Luisangel, who has experience at shortstop, second base, and in the outfield, struggled with Triple-A production last season, hitting just .258 with seven home runs. However, Acuña showed flashes of his potential in the Major Leagues, slashing .308/.325/.641 in 39 at-bats with three home runs.
His impressive performance continued in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he hit .337 with three home runs. Acuña is also a base-stealing threat, with 40+ steals in each of the past four minor-league seasons, including a career-high 57. While he is still developing, Acuña, at just 22 (turning 23 in March), could evolve into a well-rounded superstar.
In addition to Acuña, the Yankees would acquire right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban. Despite a rough second half with the Mets, Brazoban has electric stuff, ranking among the top percentile in avoiding hard contact and limiting exit velocity.
Over 51.2 innings, he allowed just two home runs. Brazoban’s pitch mix generates plenty of whiffs, though he struggles with control, walking batters at a high rate. At 35 years old, Brazoban debuted in 2022 and is still pre-arbitration, with Arb-1 set for 2026. Both Brazoban and Acuña offer the Yankees valuable team control moving forward.
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