The New York Yankees were in the market for starting pitching long before Gerrit Cole was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema in his right elbow, sidelining one of the highest-paid MLB players for at least a month. However, the club’s inability to address the problem can reportedly be traced back to one issue.
New York was heavily in the mix for free-agent started Blake Snell in February, even making a contract offer to the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. When the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a deal, the Yankees balked at his asking price and turned their focus to the trade market.
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After previously taking starter Dylan Cease off the trade block, the Chicago White Sox began fielding offers for him again late in spring training. It provided the perfect pivot opportunity for New York, as Cease would be far more affordable to add to the payroll. However, it appears the White Sox experienced the same issue in negotiations as the Milwaukee Brewers did before trading Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.
According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, the Yankees refused to include top prospect Spencer Jones in any trade talks with the White Sox for Cease or the Brewers for Burnes. As a result, San Diego and Milwaukee landed New York’s coveted front-line pitching targets.
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“That feeling permeates the organization, from the clubhouse to the owner’s suite. The 6-foot-6 Jones is an unusual blend of power, size and speed the team envisions clubbing home runs over the short porch at Yankee Stadium and stealing bases deep into October. The Yankees firmly believe the 22-year-old is a future star. It’s why he is still in the organization.”
Jorge castillo on New York Yankees prospect Spencer Jones
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Jones, rated as the 15th-best prospect in MLB by Fangraphs.com, is dominating in limited opportunities this spring. Entering MLB games today, the 6-foot-6 outfielder boasted a .412/.524/.647 slash line in 22 plate appearances, matching a 13.6 percent strikeout rate with a 13 percent walk rate.
- Spencer Jones stats (2023): .267/.336/.444, .780 OPS, 16 home runs, 43 steals, 29 doubles
Selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jones has emerged as one of the best outfield prospects in baseball heading into the 2024 season. While the left-handed hitter won’t open the year in the Yankees lineup, he will be one of the best players with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre early this season. While either Cease or Burnes would’ve helped New York more immediately, the Yankees’ confidence in Jones and the interest he’s received in trade talks suggests he could develop into a perennial All-Star outfielder.
