The New York Yankees attempted to improve their pitching staff at the MLB trade deadline. Despite rumors about Jack Flaherty, the Yankees signed bullpen arms Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos. Fans were outraged, claiming that their starters and bullpen required significant reinforcements to win the World Series. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Spencer Jones was in trade talks, but no teams wanted him.
“The Yankees were willing to include prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones for pitching help at the deadline, several teams said, but balked because of Jones’ struggles this year,” Nightengale told reporters.
Jones is the Yankees’ second-ranked prospect and is currently playing for AA Somerset. He is experiencing the worst season of his professional career, with a career low.246. Jones is only 23 years old, but teams are already focusing on his professional abilities.
With Juan Soto and Aaron Judge likely anchoring the outfield in the Bronx for the next decade, Jones’ road to the pros is limited. Jasson Dominguez is the Yankees’ top prospect and likely win the left field job out of spring training next season. Should the Yankees sell low on Jones or try to shoehorn him into the lineup next season?
If the Yankees do not win the World Series this season, the front staff should make another major deal to enhance the team. Their starting pitching and bullpen require development, and Garrett Crochet might be a fantastic starter. The White Sox lefty was not dealt at the deadline due to his demands from his next team.
The Yankees should not hesitate to give Crochet a new contract. With Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon struggling, adding another left-handed starter would be quite beneficial. The White Sox are also likely to trade Luis Robert Jr. this offseason, and he might be replaced in the outfield. The package would require more than Jones, but it would be a valuable return for the White Sox.
Jones needs to put together a strong stretch run in AA to reclaim his status as a valuable trade piece. The Patriots are five and a half games away of the playoffs, with a major series against the Portland Sea Dogs, the team ahead of them, coming up. If Jones can lead his team to the playoffs, his trade worth will rise dramatically.
The Yankees hope Jasson Dominguez to become a Major League Baseball star. As the league’s 17th-ranked prospect, they prioritize his development over Jones’. That also means that other teams will continue to beg for Dominguez. To get the huge arm they need, the Yankees may have to part ways with Dominguez.
