In a shocking turn of events, it has been revealed that the New York Yankees were unwilling to part ways with their highly touted prospect, Spencer Jones, in trade discussions involving pitchers Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease. This revelation comes from renowned sports journalist, Jon Heyman.
Heyman, a trusted source in the baseball community, reported that the Yankees stood firm in their decision to hold onto Jones, despite the potential opportunity to acquire Burnes and Cease. Both pitchers have shown immense talent and have garnered significant interest from various teams in the league. However, the Yankees were not willing to part with their prized prospect.
This news has left fans and analysts alike questioning the Yankees’ decision-making process. Burnes and Cease have proven themselves to be formidable pitchers, and their addition to the Yankees’ roster could have provided a much-needed boost to their pitching staff. However, it seems that the organization values Jones’ potential and believes he could be a valuable asset in the future.
While some may argue that the Yankees missed out on a golden opportunity to strengthen their team, others commend their commitment to developing their prospects and building for the long-term. Only time will tell if this decision will pay off for the Yankees, but for now, fans can only speculate on what could have been.
The New York Yankees have made a bold decision to keep their top centerfield prospect, Spencer Jones, instead of trading him for star pitchers Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have refused to part ways with Jones in trade negotiations.
Heyman reported on X that the Yankees have placed a big bet on Jones, who is considered a prodigy in the centerfield position. Had the Yankees been willing to give him up, they could have potentially acquired Burnes or Cease.
Burnes, the 2021 N.L. Cy Young Award winner, was recently traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The Brewers received infield prospect Joey Ortiz, young lefty pitcher D.L. Hall, and the 34th pick in the 2024 draft in exchange for Burnes. Both the Brewers and the White Sox, who still have Cease, have expressed interest in acquiring Jones from the Yankees.
Heyman revealed in an interview with Bleacher Report that the Yankees were indeed interested in Burnes and had discussions about a potential trade. However, both the Brewers and the White Sox insisted on receiving Jones as part of the deal. The Yankees, however, are unwilling to give up their prized prospect.
Jones, who was recently ranked as the No. 84 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, is highly regarded in the baseball community. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 235 pounds, he is an impressive left-handed batter. Heyman even compared him to Aaron Judge in an article for the NY Post.
Scouts believe that Jones has the potential to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the future, making him a dual threat on offense. The Yankees recognized his potential and invited him to spring training this year. In the 2023 season, Jones had an impressive performance with 16 home runs, 43 stolen bases, and a .267/.336/.444/.780 slash line across two levels.
The Yankees selected Jones with the No. 25-overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. While he may not have the same power as Judge, scouts praise his good power and plus arm. Additionally, his speed, with a rating of 70 on the 20-80 scale, is considered elite. He is capable of playing centerfield, adding to his value as a player.
Although Burnes will become a free agent after the upcoming season, Cease is under team control until 2026. This gives the White Sox the advantage in trade negotiations, as they can hold out for a strong trade package.
According to Heyman, the White Sox are now more likely than not to keep Cease on their roster for the upcoming season. The Baltimore Orioles made a trade offer for Cease before acquiring Burnes, indicating the interest in the White Sox pitcher. The White Sox have reportedly asked for Jones or right-handed pitcher Chase Hampton in trade talks with the Yankees.
The Seattle Mariners have also been involved in trade discussions for Cease. The White Sox have shown interest in acquiring young Mariners pitchers Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Jan. 27.
In summary, the New York Yankees have made a bold decision to keep their top prospect Spencer Jones instead of trading him for star pitchers Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease. Jones is highly regarded in the baseball community and is considered a prodigy in the centerfield position. The Yankees recognize his potential and are unwilling to give him up in trade negotiations. The White Sox and the Brewers have expressed interest in acquiring Jones, but the Yankees remain firm in their decision.
According to the Source heavy.com