New York Yankees: The future is now for Clarke Schmidt
The New York Yankees cannot enforce “Joba Rules” on Clarke Schmidt.
If Cashman decides to put Clarke Schmidt onto the roster, you know the move will come with restrictions. Usually, that means putting a pitch count for each start and an innings limit for the season as well. Plus, when the schedule dictates, Schmidt’s turn will be skipped to preserve his arm. For Cashman and his analytical team, it’s all about advancing the youngster’s development as a starting pitcher without the threat of overusing him.
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Remember, this is the same team that created “Joba Rules” over a decade ago. Yankees rookie Joba Chamberlain was the buzz of the American League after his debut in 2007. The young starting pitcher recorded a 2-0 mark with a 0.38 ERA in 19 appearances coming out of the bullpen that season. Chamberlain showed the right temperament in the setup role for the Yankees.
However the following season, the front office created a new set of “Joba Rules” for Chamberlain. He was going to begin the year as a starter before being transitioned back to the pen for the playoff stretch run. This approach led to inconsistent results on the mound by Chamberlain as the shifting of the roles took a toll on his psyche.
The Yankees cannot fall into this trap again. If Schmidt is going to be brought up, then Boone must define his role immediately and never deter away from that decision. The insertion of Schmidt into the rotation will help him to execute his pitches without the threat of being replaced at a moment’s notice.
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No question that Schmidt is the future of the Yankees. But the way this season is playing out, the future is now.