Spencer Jones' resurgence has created tough reality for Yankees at trade deadline

New York Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones is on an absolute tear and has gotten even better ever since being bumped to Triple-A. Initially, fans thought his promotion was the Yankees posturing for the trade deadline. After all, if Jones performed better, it would've given them a premier asset to move.

Not so fast, though. Who is even available that would make the Yankees feel comfortable trading a guy who is hitting .296 with 23 home runs, 47 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a 1.038 OPS this year? Seriously? You want ... Zac Gallen, Eugenio Suarez (both rentals) and a bullpen arm for Jones and another top prospect? Feels underwhelming.

But for discussion purposes, the trade deadline is a bit secondary here. Originally, in case you might've forgotten, this organization believed in Jones — so much, in fact, that they reportedly shut down talks with the Milwaukee Brewers about Corbin Burnes heading into the 2024 season.

If they weren't willing to move Jones, who had performed poorly in 2023, at that point for an ace in Burnes to help their World Series chances alongside Juan Soto, then why would they do it now while he's lighting the world on fire?

Even more importantly, why would they do it when both Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham aren't guaranteed to return in 2026? Grisham will be a free agent and Bellinger has a $25 million player option he will more than likely bypass for free agency.

That would leave the Yankees with Aaron Judge and Jasson Dominguez, the latter of whom is still having trouble defensively.

Yankees Trade Deadline: Should Spencer Jones be traded or kept for 2026?

The Yankees will surely keep one of Bellinger or Grisham, and right now it seems like Belli would be the move. He'll require a larger financial commitment, and Grish will be looking for a significant raise above his $5 million salary, which would put the Yankees in a tough spot.

That's where Jones comes in. There's a situation where the Yankees move Dominguez back to center field (his natural position where he's most comfortable), put Bellinger in left field, keep Judge in right, and use Jones as their fourth outfielder/roving DH. This would allow Aaron Boone to have a healthy rotation, much like he does this year.

Would fans be opposed if the Yankees traded Jones in the right deal to elevate the 2025 roster and push for a World Series? Not at all. But is that deal out there? And even if it is, does it help the Yankees for 2026? Because this comparison between Jones and Judge really has fans wondering what the future holds.

Nobody is Aaron Judge. But if Jones is somewhere between Judge and Dominguez? That's a massive win. And it'd greatly help the team's payroll flexibility if they don't have to spend on two outfielders this offseason when they're definitely going to need one of them.