The New York Yankees are unlikely to make a major move before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline due to their unshakable stance on highly coveted prospect Spencer Jones.
We are closing in on the trade deadline, and the Yankees have been quiet since their trade last week for third baseman Ryan McMahon. Over the last few days, they have been linked to several players on the trade block. Including Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. And most recently, Miami Marlins star Sandy Alcantara.
A trade for the 2022 NL Cy Young, or Mason Miller before he was moved to the San Diego Padres, will require giving up an elite prospect. Stud outfielder Spencer Jones is a player many rival clubs would like to get in return for one of their best big league talents. However, it seems the Yanks are taking a very hard stance on what it would take to part with Jones.
“Teams with good/great pieces consistently ask the Yankees about top OF prospect Spencer Jones. The Yankees are consistent on this, too: They will only trade Jones (and others in the package) for Paul Skenes, who’s not available and not going anywhere,” New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on X.
Skenes is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and has many more elite years ahead of him if he can stay healthy. It says a lot about how high New York is on the 24-year-old lefty that they are only willing to trade him if they are getting the best young player in the game back in the deal.
- Spencer Jones stats (Triple-A): .402 AVG, .461 OBP, .920 SLG, 1.381 OPS, 13 HR, 25 RBI, 28 R
The Yankees would have been more willing to move Jones in the offseason after a down season in 2024. However, he has been outstanding since being promoted to Triple-A earlier this year. The 6-foot-7 slugger is hitting .402 at Triple-A with 13 homers and 25 RBIs. His play has New York brass feeling like he can be a building block for the future.
He is currently ranked as the Yankees fourth best prospect on MLB.com.
