Clarke Schmidt will not pitch in the Yankees spring training opener on Friday, as he is dealing with what he says is a minor back issue, the latest injury update to come out of camp.
Marcus Stroman is announced to be pitching in his place, and Chris McMonigle doesn’t like what that pivot entails.
“Brian Cashman, Hal Steinbrenner, and the New York Yankees sent another message with a decision they’re making for Friday’s spring training opener, and I hate the message,” C-Mac said. “I’m sick if the message, and I’m pissed off by the message.
“They’re starting Marcus Stroman, and they’re doing it as a showcase to get Marcus Stroman traded.”
C-Mac doesn’t hate the idea of trading Stroman, though he noted that the Yankees actually might need him with injuries always lingering as a possibility. But he despises the idea that Stroman even needs to be showcased, and that the Yankees are seemingly staying put in terms of making any other additions until they are able to get Stroman and his $18 million salary off the books.
“On the surface, that sounds great, right? But here’s why it’s a problem for me,” C-Mac said. “We found out yesterday that Clarke Schmidt has a “cranky back.” That scares me a little bit. Clarke Schmidt missed time last year…they’ve got Chase Hampton, a young prospect who would be on the list of fifth, sixth, seventh starter if something were to happen in this rotation, he’s got an arm issue, possibly a UCL, possibly Tommy John.
“Marcus Stroman is someone you’ll probably need to rely on to get through this season that you’re chasing a championship. It doesn’t matter. They need to move him, because they’re not getting a bat or doing anything to impact this team until they get rid of his money. Marcus Stroman must go. That’s the message sent by Hal Steinbrenner.”
The Yanks have a hole at DH in the wake of Giancarlo Stanton’s injury, and still have a big question mark at third base, and C-Mac believes the team won’t do anything about it until Stroman’s situation is resolved.
“Here’s the No. 1 thing Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees are telling you. ‘I’m not doing a damn thing until we trade Marcus Stroman,’” C-Mac said. “They are still out there, despite the fact they don’t have a DH, and just lost another option who could be a sixth man, and someone in the rotation is dealing with a back injury…but the Yankees desperately need a bat.”