Athletics | Keith Law ($): Several publications tout George Lombard Jr. as the Yankees’ top prospect and Keith Law agrees in his installation in 2026 of the Yankees’ top prospects rankings. The 21-year-old shortstop was ranked second last year and 98th overall, and moves to the front of the queue with Jasson Domínguez’s attainment of prospect status, as well as 24th overall in baseball. Law believes Lombard was promoted to Double-A too quickly last season, which likely explains his issues with contact against speed. Law calls him the “definite shortstop” and has been impressed with his excellent bat speed and knowledge of the strike zone.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: On Monday, the Yankees acquired utility infielder Max Schuemann from the Athletics for right-handed pitching prospect Luis Burgos. Schuemann struggled mightily at the plate in 2025 – .568 OPS, 62 wRC+ in 213 PA – but is a wizard with the glove, accumulating +8 outs above average between primarily second, third and shortstop. The 28-year-old is expected to compete with Amed Rosario and Oswaldo Cabrera for one of the places on the bench. You can read a more comprehensive analysis on Schuemann and Burgos here.
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MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: In order to make room for Schuemann on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment. The move comes just five days after claiming the outfielder from the Rockies. The 23-year-old recorded a .613 OPS and 55 wRC+ with four homers and 11 RBIs in 52 games and 147 PA in his first season after appearing at the back of several top 100 prospect rankings. The Yankees can place him on waivers or trade him over the next five days, and can move him straight to the minors if he goes through waivers.
FanGraphs | Ben Clemens: Operation Run it Back has entered its final phase with the Yankees recently announcing the re-signing of Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $4 million contract. The former NL MVP enters his season at age 38 and has been about a league-average player at the plate over the past two seasons, making up for the loss of power with a significant reduction in strikeouts. He’s likely brought back knowing he’ll be used in a platoon role at first base after posting a 169 wRC+ against lefties in 2025. His signing is a double-edged sword for Ben Rice – on one hand, it frees up Rice to fill in at catcher on days when a lefty is on the mound, but on the other hand, given that the Yankees view Rice as their future first baseman – and already one of their best hitters – it could benefit them. give Rice as much playing time as possible early on. Clemens guesses part of Goldy’s motivation to stay is to build his Hall of Fame case — he has 28 home runs over 400 and 210 hits over 2,500 — as well as chase the World Series ring that has eluded him.
