Remember when the offseason started, and Brian Cashman said that they were going to give chances to Spencer Jones! Well, it looks like that stance from the Yankees has changed ever since they signed Cody Bellinger back. And the recent comments by manager Aaron Boone are not giving anybody any confidence.
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In a recent interview, Aaron Boone said, “We’ve got Cody obviously right back in the center of the mix and Grish back.” Boone continued, “That maybe complicates some things for them.”
The New York Yankees re-signed Cody Bellinger to a long-term deal after the 2025 season, keeping him alongside Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge in the outfield mix.
Bellinger’s return, confirmed by team and media reports, completes a starting outfield from 2025 that leaves little room for newcomers in 2026. Bellinger hit well in Yankee Stadium with a high OPS, and Grisham accepted his $22 million qualifying offer to remain in center field.
The outfield now looks crowded before spring training begins.
Spencer Jones once drew comparisons to Aaron Judge because of his height and power potential, but he still awaits a true major league chance.
In 2025, Jones averaged .274 with a .933 OPS and hit 35 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A, also adding 80 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Despite those numbers, he has not yet debuted in the majors for the Yankees.
Jasson Domínguez, by contrast, played 123 games in 2025, slashing .257 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs, showing more MLB exposure. Both young outfielders now must compete with Bellinger and Grisham for time.
With Bellinger and Grisham firmly in place, Jones and Domínguez face a crowded path to consistent playing time.
Aaron Boone said the re-signings of Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger may “complicate some things” for Jasson Domínguez and prospect Spencer Jones.
Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds discuss the Yankees’ two young outfielders and their outlook with the team. pic.twitter.com/Rlq5wIZbWa
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 29, 2026
Boone has acknowledged that their outlook changes with veterans ahead on the depth chart, while there is still hope that injuries or performance shifts could open opportunities. Domínguez has already seen major league action, which likely gives him incremental priority over a prospect still in Triple-A.
Fans noted Jones was left waiting in 2025 even when opportunities seemed ripe, especially when Stanton missed time. That situation highlighted how roster construction affects prospect chances.
The lack of immediate chances for Jones has disappointed some observers and former players. Commentators noted that even with Stanton injured in 2025, Jones was not promoted despite strong minor league numbers that year.
Others, including former Yankees players like Clint Frazier, expressed surprise that Jones wasn’t more often discussed for promotion. Some arguments stress that Domínguez’s MLB experience makes him a more likely short-term option than Jones.
The tension between prospects and veterans now defines part of the Yankees’ offseason narrative.
As a result, Jones’s name has surfaced in trade speculation rather than everyday lineup discussion. Some front office comments have opened the door to trade possibilities for him to realize his talent elsewhere.
At the same time, recent coverage still notes his potential to contribute if roster flexibility arises. Whether by roster change, injury, or trade, Jones remains a major league-caliber bat.
His future with the New York Yankees, however, remains uncertain amid an outfield stacked with proven starters.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman has also opened the door to a Spencer Jones trade
The Yankees signed Cody Bellinger to a five‑year, $162.5 million contract, creating a crowded outfield with Judge, Dominguez, and Jones all vying for playing time. With left field no longer open, general manager Brian Cashman openly said Spencer Jones could be traded if another team shows interest.
That is a major shift from last summer, when the Yankees protected Jones in a trade for Sandy Alcantara.
Spencer Jones hit 35 homers with a .932 OPS in Double‑A and Triple‑A last season. But he also struck out 179 times in 116 games, a concern for major league success.
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This shift in position by the Yankees matters because the Yankees have real needs in their pitching staff, not just outfield depth.
Meanwhile, doctors expect Gerrit Cole to return in May or June after Tommy John surgery. Scouts project Carlos Rodón to return in late April or May, leaving the rotation thin early in the season. With limited starting options, the Yankees may use Jones as trade value to acquire proven arms.
Cashman’s comments suggest the team is listening if a deal helps address that urgent need.