Giancarlo Stanton's uncertain Yankees future, Clarke Schmidt's workload, Chad Green's visit

NEW YORK – Trotting around the bases is Giancarlo Stanton’s specialty, but he’s a good distance past being the impact offensive force the Yankees once envisioned.

This isn’t anything new.

But to watch his empty 0-for-4 Tuesday night, a 7-1 win by the wild-card contending Toronto Blue Jays, was another uncomfortable glimpse into a Stanton-Yankee future.

“Not a great night for us, offensively,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, whose club recorded six hits and didn’t score again after Gleyber Torres’ RBI double in the first inning.

His batting average down to .190, Stanton struck out twice and grounded into two double plays, moving at a pace that resembled ketchup extracted from a new bottle.

Yes, there’s a sacrifice of urgency to guard against another lower body injury; Stanton missed 43 team games in the first half due to a strained hamstring, suffered pulling into second on a double.

Asked if that could possibly change next year, Boone offered that “we’ve got to look into it and try to get him in the best possible situation in the offseason and heading into spring training.’’

The issue of Giancarlo Stanton's Yankee future

The big-picture problem is how Stanton fits into the 2024 Yankees (and beyond), a team that desperately needs to be younger, more dynamic offensively and more left-handed.

Stanton, 34 in December, fits none of these categories.

But he’s got another $98 million guaranteed on contract that runs through 2027.

Stanton has had some big playoff moments as a Yankee, a reminder of his game-wrecking power.

He also had the power, after his 2017 MVP season with Miami, to be traded elsewhere but chose New York and all that comes with it.

Stanton has withstood some prolonged, harsh fan reaction, absorbed the criticism, and has consistently blamed himself and no one else for his struggles.

Currently, Stanton’s .702 OPS is a career season low, and he’s striking out just under one-third of the time (114 Ks, 352 AB).

“It’s obviously been a struggle, just having a hard time getting on one of those really hot grooves,’’ Boone said after Stanton’s second double play grounder ended Tuesday’s game.

Boone mentioned the early-season injury, and the battle to find a rhythm – a fight that continues.

“He’s had some moments, but he just hasn’t gotten that consistency,’’ Boone said. “Overall, it’s been a struggle.’’

In two weeks, the Stanton situation transfers to GM Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner.

When they take that deep organizational dive toward fixing and improving next year’s team, Stanton’s pinstriped future must be part of that discussion.

Clarke Schmidt's uncharted territory

It's been an important season for Clarke Schmidt, proving his value in his first full big-league season in a rotation.

Entering Tuesday, Schmidt had yielded three or fewer runs in 23 of his 29 starts this year, though he'd completed at least six innings in just five of those starts.

Tuesday's start began with a leadoff George Springer home run and effectively ended with Bo Bichette's two-run homer in the fifth, following a two-out walk to Springer.

That gave Toronto (84-67) a 4-1 lead, on a night when Yusei Kikuchi and four relievers kept the Yankees (76-75) in check.

Toronto is a game up on the second AL wild card spot, with the Yanks seven behind the final spot and nearing elimination - though Boone's club will have a say in the Blue Jays' fate, with five of their final 11 games against Toronto.

Schmidt blamed “bad pitch selection’’ for the Bichette homer, regretting the mislocated sinker and not trying a low cutter or a breaking pitch to be less predictable.

At a career MLB high 151 pitches this season, Schmidt has two more starts and “(we’ll) continue to pay attention’’ to the workload “and see how he’s bouncing back and recovering,’’ Boone said.

“But I think he’s in a really good spot.’’

Former Yankee Chad Green returns with Toronto

Recovered from Tommy John surgery in spring of 2022, former Yankees reliever Chad Green made his first trip back to the Bronx with his new team.

“I’m kind of just getting started and happy to chip in where I can,’’ said Green, with 3-0 with a 7.36 ERA in eight appearances with Toronto.

Green, 32, posted a 3.17 ERA and a 1.022 WHIP as a reliable Yankees setup man across seven seasons.

“I always just tried to enjoy the moment,’’ said Green. “I didn’t think I’d be here for seven years,’’ and he was pretty certain an eighth would be out of the question following elbow surgery.

“They don’t really rehab TJ pitchers,’’ said Green, who signed a two-year deal with Toronto.

“Chad’s a pro in every way,’’ said Boone, adding that Green’s elbow injury “was emotional for me, just because of the high regard I have for Chad.

“It’s a very short list of guys who’ve been that good out of the bullpen for that long,’’ said Boone, especially for a setup man.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Yankees future: Giancarlo Stanton, Clarke Schmid