The New York Yankees have made it clear they don’t plan on trading Spencer Jones.
Jones is the Yankees’ fourth-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, but someone who is closing in on reaching the majors. The slugging outfielder could reach the majors this season, and MLB insider Jon Heyman says the team has no desire to trade him.
Heyman claims that the only player the Yankees would part ways with Jones for is Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. But, as Heyman notes, the Pirates have no desire to trade Skenes.
“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 package) for Paul Skenes, who’s not available and not going anywhere,” Heyman wrote on X.
With Skenes off the trade block, it means Jones will not be dealt at this trade deadline or anytime soon for the Yankees.
Jones was in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Yankees. The outfielder is hitting .402 with 13 home runs and 25 RBIs in 21 games this season in Triple-A. Jones has tormented Triple-A since being called out and should be getting close to being called up.
Yankees Didn’t Call Up Jones After Judge Injury
After New York placed Aaron Judge on the IL, it opened the door for Jones to potentially be called up.
However, the Yankees opted not to call Jones up, and manager Aaron Boone said it wasn’t a thought to call him up.
“Haven’t even gone there yet,” Boone said when asked if Jones was a potential call-up candidate to replace Judge.
Instead, Jones is staying at Triple-A and will continue to smash the pitching as he awaits his MLB debut. Although he is mashing, Jones says he’s just taking it day by day and having fun.
“I think it’s a combination of things,” Jones said of his play of late. “I have a lot of really good people in my life, here at the field and back home, and they’re helping me to just be myself and let things flow naturally. I’m being the athlete I know myself to be and it’s been a good season and a fun month, but there is still a lot left to do.”
Jones projects to be a middle-of-the-order bat in the MLB.
What Have The Yankees Done at the Deadline?
New York has been active in the lead-up to the trade deadline, but hasn’t made a move yet on deadline day.
The Yankees made their first move, acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies for pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz. McMahon is a defensive wizard, but his bat has been an issue throughout his career.
After acquiring McMahon, the Yankees then acquired Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals for right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez. Rosario can play all over the field and serve as a platoon option at third with McMahon.
The final move New York made was acquiring depth outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox for pitching prospect Gage Ziehl. Slater mashes left-handers and will be a platoon option in the outfield.
Yankees Emerging as Front Runner for Bednar
On deadline day, New York has been in talks to further address its pitching.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Yankees and the Pirates are in trade talks surrounding David Bednar. The insider calls New York the frontrunner to land Bednar.
“The Yankees and Pirates are discussing a trade involving Bednar, according to sources briefed on the discussions,” Rosenthal wrote. “An official from one team involved in the pursuit of Bednar believes the Yankees are the front-runner.”
Bednar is earning $5.9 million this season and has another year of club control. He’s 2-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 42 games and is 17-for-17 on saves.
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