Yankees considering Spencer Jones trade as part of aggressive deadline strategy

As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is exploring all options to bolster the roster, including potentially reacquiring familiar faces and possibly trading key prospects.

Recent reports suggest that Spencer Jones, once considered untouchable, could now be part of trade discussions. Meanwhile, the Yankees are also eyeing pitcher Jameson Taillon as a potential addition to their rotation.

Yankees interested in pitcher Jameson Taillon

According to USA TODAY’s MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Yankees and Boston Red Sox have entered into negotiations with the Chicago Cubs to acquire starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. However, the Cubs have yet to decide on their trade deadline strategy.

Under first-year coach Craig Counsell, the Cubs went 48-53, 3.5 games out of the National League wild-card race. Despite the team’s struggles, Taillon was a standout, posting a 3.10 ERA this season. The 32-year-old is under contract through 2026 at $18 million per season.

Nightengale notes that the Yankees should be aggressive at the trade deadline, considering the season a failure if they don’t make significant moves. Despite leading the American League wild-card race with a 59-42 record, the Yankees have lost 21 of their last 31 games.

Taillon, who has a 3.10 ERA in 93 innings this season, has been a reliable presence despite missing time due to injuries. He has a 1.16 WHIP and has struck out 75 batters, with a 19.6% strikeout rate and a 14.9% strikeout-minus-walk rate, both his lowest since 2019. His projected ERA is 3.71.

While Taillon may not be the most spectacular addition, he would provide much-needed stability to a Yankees rotation that has struggled to maintain a 5.20 ERA since June 1. The team is also managing innings limitations for rookie Luis Gil, who has posted a 3.17 ERA this season.

The Yankees originally acquired Taillon in January 2021 for four players. He posted a 4.08 ERA in 321 2/3 regular-season innings and allowed three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in the 2022 playoffs.

Yankees ready to trade Spencer Jones

As the trade deadline approaches, Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones, once considered untouchable, could now be available for trade. Bob Nightengale reported that New York is open to including the 6-foot-2 outfielder in a trade for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet or Tigers Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal.

The White Sox showed interest in Jones last offseason when the Yankees considered a potential trade for Dylan Cease. Crochet was one of the league’s best pitchers, posting a 3.02 ERA in 20 starts for the struggling White Sox. Skubal, a Cy Young candidate, posted a 2.41 ERA in 19 starts for the Tigers, striking out 140 batters in 116 innings.

Jones began this season with Double-A Somerset, hitting .238 with a .716 OPS, 10 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Patriots. Drafted by the Yankees with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Jones began the 2023 season with High-A Hudson Valley before being promoted to Double-A Somerset. In 117 games for the Renegades and Patriots, he hit .267/.336/.444 with 16 home runs and 66 RBIs.

As the deadline approaches, the Yankees’ willingness to trade top prospects like Jones signals their determination to make efficient trades. Whether they can bolster their roster remains to be seen, but Cashman’s aggressive approach underscores the urgency of improving the team’s performance.

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