According to a story published on Sunday by USA Today, the New York Yankees would prefer handle any lingering starting pitching requirements through trade than sign Cy Young winner Blake Snell. According to the source, the Yankees would prefer to trade for Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease, but negotiations with the White Sox are “at a standstill”. This comes as ESPN predicts that the Yankees will eventually sign Snell, the best remaining pitcher on the free-agent market who has yet to sign a contract.
What’s the holdup with Cease? Okay, recompense. The White Sox want a player that the Yankees are unwilling to give up. The New York Post reported earlier this month that one Yankees prospect, outfielder Spencer Jones, was sought as compensation in three separate trades. The San Diego Padres wanted him in the Juan Soto trade, the Milwaukee Brewers wanted Jones in a potential Corbin Burnes deal, and the White Sox wanted him in exchange for Cease. The Yankees have refused to give up Jones, who welcomed Yankees fans at their spring training game in Tampa on Saturday with a massive home run that landed on the stadium concourse in right field.
Jones is the Yankees’ top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he has the potential to be a spectacular outfielder. Last year, Jones reached Double-A Somerset and hit.267/.336/.444/.780 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 29 doubles, and four triples. He may not make the Major Leagues this season, as the Yankees addressed their outfield needs by dealing for Soto, Trent Grisham, and Alex Verdugo. However, Soto and Verdugo are both free agents after this season, and if the Yankees lose one or both, Jones might be ready to return to the Bronx in 2025.
Cease could still be an option if the Yankees can put together a deal that appeals to the White Sox while excluding Jones. Cease’s career record is 43-35, with a 3.83 ERA. He finished second in the Cy Young votes in 2022 after a 14-8 season with a 2.20 ERA. In 2021, he led the AL in strikeouts per nine innings (12.3). Additionally, he comes with two years of team control. Don’t worry about free agency until after the 2025 season.
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