In an ideal world, the Yankees wouldn’t need to exchange their best prospects for MLB-ready goods. General Manager Brian Cashman is anticipated to aggressively bolster the roster and reassure the supporters that they still have hopes of winning the World Series at the trade deadline on July 30.
By the trade deadline, the Yankees need more.
It takes more than two players to win the World Series, as Soto noted following Monday’s commanding 9-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Yankees have been struggling recently as a result of general inefficiency. With the exception of Aaron Judge and Soto, the entire offensive has been unstable.
The Cost of Acquiring Top Talent
If the Yankees aim to acquire a top-tier player at the trade deadline, they may need to part with one of their top prospects, potentially Spencer Jones. Despite his potential as one of the best prospects in baseball, Jones has faced challenges this year with his strikeout rate and overall plate discipline.
Currently with Double-A Somerset, Jones is hitting .238/.315/.401, with 10 homers, 47 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. However, his 37.3% strikeout rate is concerning, and his 103 wRC+ suggests he’s been an average hitter at the Double-A level.
Despite these struggles, Jones’s upside remains significant if he can improve his swing decisions. Trading his potential for an immediate impact player might be a strategic move for the Yankees. They have been linked to pitchers like Garrett Crochet, a 25-year-old with two more years of control after the 2024 season. Crochet has a 3.02 ERA this season and has pitched a career-high 107.1 innings.
Trading Prospects for Immediate Gains
According to Bob Nightingale of USA Today, “for the first time,” the Yankees are willing to trade Jones in a deal that could include Crochet or Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal. However, Skubal might be a less likely target for the Yankees, as the Baltimore Orioles have a superior farm system and could offer several top hitting prospects to acquire him if needed.
There are others who contend that swapping Jones for a player such as Isaac Paredes was a wise decision. With three more years of control remaining, Paredes, who is 25 years old, is hitting.252/.353/.449 this season with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs. Paredes would strengthen the top half of the order by starting ahead of Soto and Judge and having an instant impact. He also plays third base well as a defense, adding extra balanced value.
