The New York Yankees made a calculated move ahead of spring training, acquiring infielder Max Schuemann from the Oakland Athletics on Monday, February 9, 2026, in exchange for minor league right-hander Luis Burgos. With pitchers and catchers set to report in just two days, the Yankees’ front office continues to tinker with the roster, seeking depth and flexibility as the new season approaches.
Schuemann, 28, arrives in the Bronx with a reputation for defensive versatility and a steady glove. Drafted by the Athletics in the 20th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, he’s logged 234 major league games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. While his career .212 batting average and .306 on-base percentage won’t turn many heads, his ability to play almost anywhere on the diamond has made him a valued utility man. Over the past two years with the A’s, Schuemann posted a .212/.306/.297 slash line with nine home runs, 18 doubles, 47 RBIs, 154 strikeouts, and 69 walks. In 2025, he hit .197 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 101 games, spending significant time at second base (39 games), third base (27), and all three outfield spots. He played mostly shortstop in 2024, appearing in 93 games at the position.
“Max brings us a lot of flexibility,” said a Yankees official, echoing the consensus around Schuemann’s glove-first profile. In fact, Schuemann has played every position except pitcher, catcher, and first base at the major league level—and he’s manned first base in the minors. His defensive metrics are impressive: last season, he ranked in the 95th percentile in Outs Above Average, a testament to his range and sure hands. That’s not something you see every day, especially from a player who’s bounced around the field as much as Schuemann.
Speed is another asset Schuemann brings to New York. He swiped 21 bases in 23 attempts during his time with Oakland, and his minor league résumé includes a staggering 52-steal campaign across three levels in 2021. While his bat has been below league average—he owns a career 78 wRC+—his base running and defense have kept him in the mix for big league rosters.
For the Yankees, the timing of this acquisition is no accident. The club faces some uncertainty up the middle: shortstop Anthony Volpe is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and isn’t expected to be ready by Opening Day. Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. has also battled injuries, making infield depth a real priority. Schuemann joins a group of utility candidates that includes Oswaldo Cabrera and Jorbit Vivas, with Amed Rosario and Paul DeJong also in camp. As the Yankees look to fill out their bench, Schuemann’s three remaining minor league options give manager Aaron Boone and his staff extra flexibility—he can be assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he doesn’t break camp with the team.
To make room for Schuemann on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment. Fernandez had only just arrived in New York, claimed off waivers from the Rockies less than a week prior. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change on the fringes of a major league roster, especially as teams jockey for depth ahead of the grind of a 162-game season.
The deal also saw right-handed pitching prospect Luis Burgos head to Oakland. Burgos, just 20 years old, was signed by the Yankees as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in June 2024. He’s posted a 4-4 record and a 3.39 ERA over 25 games (10 starts) in the Dominican Summer League, all in the Yankees’ farm system. While his strikeout numbers (8.0 K/9) have been modest and his control has wavered (4.7 BB/9), Burgos’ youth and arm talent give the Athletics another developmental project for their minor league pipeline. According to multiple reports, Burgos is likely to start his tenure with the A’s at the lowest rungs of their system, where he’ll get a chance to refine his command and secondary pitches.
Schuemann’s arrival comes at a time when the Yankees are actively shaping their roster for the season ahead. On Monday, right-hander Dom Hamel and infielder Braden Shewmake were outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, though both received invitations to major league spring training as non-roster invitees. The Yankees’ player development complex was buzzing, with stars like Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Spencer Jones, Carlos Rodón, Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera, José Caballero, Will Warren, Luis Gil, Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill, J.C. Escarra, and George Lombard Jr. all spotted getting early work in. The anticipation is building, and with the recent acquisition of Schuemann, the competition for roster spots just got a little stiffer.
Manager Aaron Boone will have plenty of options as he shapes his bench. Schuemann is expected to compete for a utility/bench role alongside Cabrera and Vivas, especially with Volpe’s status for Opening Day uncertain. Paul DeJong is also in camp as a non-roster invitee, and a move to add veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on a one-year, $4 million deal is reportedly forthcoming. The Yankees’ front office is clearly focused on depth and versatility, aiming to weather injuries and the inevitable ups and downs of a long season.
As for Schuemann, this is a fresh start and a new challenge. After debuting in MLB in April 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum, he was a regular in his rookie season, appearing in 133 games and posting an 85 wRC+. However, the emergence of young A’s talent like Jacob Wilson saw Schuemann shift into a utility role in 2025, where his offensive production dipped (62 wRC+). The Athletics designated him for assignment after a recent waiver claim, opening the door for the Yankees to swoop in.
Yankees fans shouldn’t expect Schuemann to set the world on fire with his bat. Still, his glove, speed, and willingness to fill any role make him a valuable chess piece as the team eyes an AL East crown. In a division where every edge counts, having a player who can step in at a moment’s notice—whether at short, second, third, or the outfield—could make all the difference during the dog days of summer.
With spring training just around the corner, the Yankees’ acquisition of Max Schuemann is the latest example of a contender leaving no stone unturned. The move might not grab headlines like a blockbuster signing, but it could prove vital as the season unfolds. For now, the battle for bench spots is wide open, and Schuemann’s versatility ensures he’ll be right in the thick of it when camp opens this week.