The New York Yankees haven’t been extremely aggressive this offseason, although they were able to get a new five-year, $162.5 million deal done with star free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger.
Bringing Bellinger back was priority No. 1 entering the offseason. However, there are still ways the Yankees could look to improve. They also have the means to make a move.
At this point in time, New York looks to be a potential World Series contender. However, there are teams around the league, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, who took huge leaps forward with their offseason moves.
Keeping that in mind, the future of young outfielders Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez have become a hot topic of conversation surrounding the Yankees. With Bellinger back in town long-term, trading one of the two could make sense.
Brian Cashman recently made comments about Jones that hint a potential trade could be on the horizon.
Brian Cashman’s Comments Have Stirred Up New York Yankees Rumors
As shared by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Cashman spoke out about Jones’ future. His comments suggested that a trade could be a legitimate possibility.
“He’s an exciting young talent that’s, again, unproven at the Major League level,” Cashman said. “We’re going to find out at some point — or somebody else would find out at some point, if they pry him away from me.”
Jones has not played for New York at the Major League level yet. He is now 24 years old and the Yankees will need to figure out whether or not they have a place for him on the big league roster.
During the 2025 season in the minor leagues, Jones played in 116 games. He hit 35 home runs, drove in 80 RBI, stole 29 bases, and produced a slash line of .274/.362/.571. Jones is very close to being MLB ready.
Should New York decide that it doesn’t have a clear path to playing time, Jones should be traded. The Yankees have some clear needs that could be addressed with Jones as a centerpiece of a trade. That is a route they should explore.
What Could the Yankees Target in Return for Spencer Jones?
Currently, the biggest need for New York appears to be the bullpen. Adding another quality reliever should be at the top of the Yankees’ wish list.
There is also a potential need for more starting pitching. Depending on the deal, it’s possible New York could work out a deal to acquire both with Jones being the top piece departing the organization.
If the Yankees want to win a championship during the 2026 season, they’ll need more pitching depth. With the outfield pretty much set, trading either Jones or Dominguez should not be a holdup in the pursuit of win-now pitching.
Expect to hear a lot of rumors surrounding the New York franchise. Cashman and the Yankees are not far off from being a championship team. If that requires trading Jones, they should make the move without hesitating.
Yankees Trade Buzz Grows After Brian Cashman’s New Remark