The New York Yankees have had a rough month or two, and now with Aaron Judge landing in the IL, things are dire. Hence, it’s no surprise that there has been reshuffling going on in the deck. With the MVP frontrunner out for at least 10 days on the injured list, the front office didn’t take time to fill in the gaps. Sure, the Ryan McMahon pickup is there. But they quietly did another sharp pickup—trading for Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals.

The deal sent Clayton Beeter and 18-year-old outfielder Browm Martinez to DC. But in return Yankees got a $2.3 million utility man. Rosario hits lefties hard and has slashed .299/.333/.483 against southpaws with Washington. Given he can play third, second, shortstop, and outfield, it seems like a tactical fit. He is a movable piece the Yankees need and need now.

But he alone was not the name swirling in the Yankee world. The name making the rounds was Spencer Jones, too. The towering 6-foot-7 outfielder who is often compared to Judge, many thought, would get his call. But no! And Boone answered, Why!

Boone mentioned on the Talkin Yanks podcast, “He was having the back spasms… then the Rosario thing looked like it was gaining some steam. That was kind of the timeline… We decided on the Judge that morning. Then it was—okay, if we don’t get Rosario, who do we call up? Spencer had the back stuff, so he would’ve been in the conversation. But with Dominguez, Gish, and Belly out there, we were probably looking for more of that fourth outfielder, a right-handed hitter.” So basically, wrong timing for Spencer.

However, that being said, Spencer Jones has been on fire at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has launched 13 home runs in just 19 games. Plus his eye-watering three-homer night in Rochester, who can forget! Hence, his name was floated as the natural call-up to replace Judge. But sadly, Jones’s back spasms killed the chance. This move by the Yanks, did raised questions of whether it is possible that Spencer Jones could be traded.

Now it’s not sure what the Yankees would do because, honestly, they have been all about trading away prospects for short-term postseason gains. And losing the Yankee way that Bronx fans know. However, Jon Heyman mentioned that Jones will stay put, as he is a massive part of the Yankees’ future. But nothing is guaranteed, right?

The New York Yankees’ rotation is a real problem! 

If there is one position that’s felt like musical chairs all season long for the New York Yankees, it’s third base. But let’s be real, that’s not the only real grey area for now. The pitching is also a major issue, and the Yanks need arms, but the focus has been plenty on third base and then on arms. Big arms. But there are plenty of arms available, and Ely Sussman of Fish on First tossed out a bold idea. She linked the Yankees to Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.

While the Miami Marlins don’t need to move Alcantara, given he is under contract through 2026 with a $21 million club option for 2027, Sussman thinks New York is among the teams that are willing to deal young talent for immediate help in their rotation. And well, the Yankees’ rotation is definitely in ruins, to be honest. Gerrit Cole is still on the injured list, and Clarke Schmidt isn’t here, and Nestor Cortes is the one holding things together. So they need reinforcements, and sure, Alcantara has not been lights out this year, but don’t let that scare you off yet.

This season, he is rocking a 5-9 record and a 6.66 ERA—not great. But this guy has some serious credentials. He won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022, unanimously, and he beat out none other than Max Fried, who is funny enough a Yankee ace now. His career ERA is a solid 3.66 over 158 starts. He had signed with the Cardinals as a teenager and made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League. And he has been with the Marlins since 2017.

The only risk is that he is post-Tommy John surgery, and his comeback could be a gamble. Of course, though, he isn’t the only name in the mix. There is Pittsburgh’s David Bednar, Arizona’s Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, and Minnesota reliever Danny Coulombe. Do you think the Yanks will bite the bullet for Alcantara?