In an ideal scenario, the Yankees wouldn’t need to trade their top prospects for established MLB talent. However, with the trade deadline approaching on July 30, General Manager Brian Cashman is expected to make significant moves to bolster the roster and reassure fans of their World Series ambitions.
Yankees’ Trade Deadline Needs
Following Monday’s dominant 9-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, Soto emphasized that winning the World Series requires more than just two standout players. The Yankees have struggled recently due to widespread inefficiencies, with only Soto and Aaron Judge showing consistent performance.
The Price of Acquiring Elite Talent
If the Yankees aim to acquire a top-tier player at the deadline, they may need to trade one of their top prospects, potentially Spencer Jones. While Jones is highly regarded as one of baseball’s best prospects, he has faced challenges this year with strikeouts and plate discipline.
Playing for Double-A Somerset, Jones is hitting .238/.315/.401 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. His high strikeout rate of 37.3% is concerning, and his 103 wRC+ suggests he’s been an average hitter at the Double-A level. However, if he can improve his swing decisions, his potential could be immense. Trading him for an impact player now could be beneficial. The Yankees have been linked to pitchers like Garrett Crochet, a 25-year-old with a 3.02 ERA this season and two more years of control after 2024, who has pitched a career-high 107.1 innings.
Potential Trade Targets
Another possible trade involves Isaac Paredes, a 25-year-old with three more years of control. Paredes is hitting .252/.353/.449 this season with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs. He could make an immediate impact in the lead-off spot, ahead of Soto and Judge, and strengthen the top half of the order. Additionally, Paredes is a strong defender at third base, adding balanced value to the team.
Future Considerations and Team Dynamics
Ultimately, if the Yankees want to make substantial improvements, Jones might need to be available for trade. With an outfield likely to include Soto, Judge, and Jasson Dominguez next year, Jones could find himself on the outside, making the idea of trading him more justifiable, especially if the Yankees plan to extend Soto with a substantial contract.
