The New York Yankees continue to be linked to some of the top MLB free agents in ongoing rumors, but the club announced several roster moves involving some of their own key players. New York announced moves with three prospects which got lost in the major news of outfielder Trent Grisham accepting the team’s qualifying offer.
Additionally, the Yankees added outfielder Spencer Jones, pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and pitcher Chase Hampton to the team’s 40-man roster on November 18, 2025. The move with Jones is perhaps the most notable as the outfielder is one of the top MLB prospects.
Jones is one of the Yankees’ most interesting prospects and is listed among MLB.com’s top 100 prospects.
Let’s dive into the latest Yankees roster moves.
Yankees OF Spencer Jones Has Plenty of Hype
The Yankees selected Jones in the first round of the 2022 MLB draft with the No. 25 overall pick. Jones has rare size at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds.
So, what does the roster move mean for Jones’ future? It puts Jones one step closer to potentially earning a spot in the team’s outfield rotation while also protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.
“Tuesday, November 18th stood as the deadline for Major League organizations to add players to their 40-man rosters,” Pinstripe Alley’s Sam Chapman detailed in a November 18, 2025, story titled, “Yankees 40-man roster: Spencer Jones, Elmer Rodríguez, Chase Hampton added for Rule 5 protection.” “This is important to consider in accordance with the yearly Rule 5 Draft.
“Players who were signed to the club at 18 years old or younger and have been in the organization for five seasons, or players who were signed at 19 or older and have been in the organization for four seasons become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.”
Spencer Jones Has a Chance to Have a Role on the Yankees in 2025
From potentially re-signing Cody Bellinger to being linked to Chicago Cubs star Kyle Tucker, the Yankees have been linked to plenty of top outfielders. Yet, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman indicated Jones will head into Spring Training with a chance to carve out a role.
“The 24-year-old Jones put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the Minors, hitting .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 116 games between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,” MLB.com’s Joe Trezza wrote in a November 13, story titled, “Does Spencer Jones have a place in the Yankees’ ’26 outfield?”
“He crushed 19 homers in 67 games for Scranton and came one homer shy of the MiLB lead. He also finished fifth in the Minors in slugging, sixth in total bases (250), seventh in extra-base hits (59) and eighth in runs (102).”
Yankees Rumors: New York Linked to Trade for Cardinals 2B Brendan Donovan
While prospects like Jones appear to have plenty of upside, the Yankees are also being linked to some of the top free agents. Additionally, the Yankees could be active in the trade market. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan is a potential target for the Yankees.
“Infielder Brendon Donovan, who is arbitration-eligible for two more years, is also drawing a lot of interest and seems likely to be traded,” Feinsand wrote in a November 13, story titled, “Trade candidates, pitching market and more takeaways from GM Meetings.” “The Yankees, Dodgers, Royals and Guardians are among the teams believed to be potential landing spots for Donovan.
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