TO UPGRADE, THE YANKEES MAY NEED TO PART WITH SPENCER JONES

The Yankees are in a bit of a bind — and no, we’re not talking about their ongoing love affair with underperforming infielders. Boone did you catch that? I'm mocking you. The real issue? Starting pitching. It's thin, it's brittle, and it's borderline held together with chewing gum and desperation.

Enter Mitch Keller of the Pirates. He’s not exactly a household name, but maybe he should be. Keller’s been one of the most dependable arms in the National League — a rare breed in today’s MLB. Heading into the All-Star break, he led the league with 20 starts and 119 innings, sporting a 3.48 ERA. He’s healthy, he’s consistent, and unlike some of the Yankees’ current options, he doesn’t require nightly prayers to make it through five innings.

Oh, and he’s on one of the most team-friendly deals in baseball: a five-year, $77 million extension with Pittsburgh that runs through 2028. He won’t cost more than $20.4 million in any single season. That’s a steal in this market.  Which brings us to Spencer Jones — the towering outfielder Yankees fans have been dreaming on for years. The dude's built like Judge, runs like Dominguez, and hits moonshots when he connects. He could swipe 30 bags and hit 30 bombs if it all clicks. But here’s the cold truth: New York has a lot of outfielders. Like, a logjam. And you know the Yankees problem, they honor big contracts over playing time for youth.

So, while it would absolutely sting to see Jones go, it also kinda makes sense. The Yankees can afford to part with a top outfield prospect. But the truth is, I just don't want them to. What they can’t afford is wasting another year of Aaron Judge wasting his time on a team that does not win. And make no mistake, Keller fills that need right this second. From the Pirates’ side, they’d be crazy not to ask for Jones. 

Sure, there’s risk for the Pirates, I guess. Jones strikes out a lot and still hasn’t proven he can handle elite big-league pitching. But the athleticism, defense, speed, and raw power? That’s hard to pass up. He’s exactly the kind of high-ceiling bat the Pirates need to take a chance on.

And let’s not kid ourselves — George Lombard Jr. isn’t going anywhere. The Yankees are treating him like the crown jewels, especially with Volpe sucking in our infield. So, if Pittsburgh wants a real position player prospect, and if the Yankees are serious about getting a legit, durable starter, Jones might be the only realistic name on the table. Does Cashman pull the trigger? That’s the million-dollar question.

But at the end of the day, if you’re trying to win now, you don’t hoard lottery tickets. You cash one in. Even if it has 30/30 potential and a fanbase ready to riot if you let him go. Winning in October takes pitching. The Yankees know it. The Pirates know it. And Spencer Jones might have to be the key to making it all happen.