Yankees’ trade deadline strategy clouded by Cam Schlittler's hot start

TORONTO Cam Schlittler pounded his glove with his fist one time an understated celebration for a big moment.

The New York Yankees rookie had just forced Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays $500-million slugger, to pop out to third base with the bases loaded to end the second inning.

He did it not with his overpowering fastball, which touched 99.5 mph, but with his little-used sweeper, forcing Guerrero off balance.

Advertisement It was another example of how Schlittler might complicate things for the Yankees as general manager Brian Cashman formulates plans for the July 31 trade deadline.

Cashman must decide whether to keep Schilttler, who carried the Yankees for five innings and gave up two earned runs in a 5-4 win at the Rogers Centre.

Hes already got fans in the Yankees clubhouse.

Hes dominant, man, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

said.

Slow heartbeat, left fielder Cody Bellinger said.

Poised.

exhale pic.twitter.com/pGUlOcpbF6 Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 22, 2025 Cashman will look to fill several needs for the Yankees, who could use multiple relievers and a third baseman.

They also likely need starting rotation help.

Theyll spend the rest of the season without righties Gerrit Cole and Clark Schmidt due to Tommy John surgery.

Luis Gil hasnt pitched yet this season thanks to a right lat strain, though he could return in less than a week.

Ryan Yarbroughs recovery from an oblique strain has been slow.

And while they have gotten more than 20 starts each from ace Max Fried, All-Star Carlos Rodon and rookie Will Warren, reasons for concern exist with each.

Fried and Rodon have lengthy injury histories and are on pace to approach personal regular-season records for innings pitched.

Warren will almost surely blow past his previous career-high of innings pitched in a season.

An argument could be made that the Yankees should aim high on the trade market to bring in a pitcher capable of starting a playoff game should Fried, Rodon or Gil get hurt or stumble in the second half.

That leaves the question of Schlittler, who soared through the Yankees minor leagues and prospect rankings, and helped the team win in each of his first two big-league starts.

The Yankees need to decide if theyre comfortable trading his potentially bright future for present upgrades.

If they keep him, they may look to rely on him the rest of the regular season and could possibly push Yarbrough back to the bullpen.

Schlittler pitched a career-high 120 2/3 innings in 2024.

Hes already at 87 innings between the minors and majors this season.

Advertisement Schlittlers stuff has already played well in the bigs.

In his first MLB start, he touched 100 mph for the first time.

He began the season as The Athletics No.

8 overall Yankees prospect.

And the 2022 seventh-round pick had to work on Tuesday.

He scattered seven hits, all of them singles, while walking three and striking out three.

Just kind of battling, he said.

Manager Aaron Boone said, You really see his stuff play.

He walked a few guys while throwing a lot of strikes, Boone said.

Thats the one part he would probably like back.

But to give us five strong innings there, put us in position to win.

I thought he was really good, and after not pitching now for whatever its been 10 days or whatever, I didnt feel like there was any rust or anything.

Boone added that Schlittler displayed impressive confidence on the mound.

His trust in what hes doing out there, Boone said, and he feels hes got stuff to handle it.

That shows.

That shows with the way he carries himself.

It shows in the way he attacks.

Hes not afraid.

Big fastball, Chisholm said.

Big breaking ball.

To just sit behind him and watch him work is great.

I think his stuff is electric, as everyone can see, Bellinger said.

Everyone also saw Schlittler work out of trouble against Guerrero.

Schlittler also gave up a run in the first inning but got Alejandro Kirk to strike out swinging on a high fastball with runners on first and second to end the inning.

In the fifth, Schlittler gave up consecutive singles to start the inning, got bailed out by a pretty double play turn from Anthony Volpe and Chisholm, and after surrendering an RBI single to Addison Barger, he ended his night getting Kirk to fly out and finish the fifth.

The heartbeat seems to be very good, Bellinger said, and Im very confident in his ability.

Teams will be interested in trading for Schlittler.

The Yankees may be further intrigued to keep him.

Its setting up for a tough question for the Yankees as the trade deadline approaches.

(Photo: Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images).

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