MLB Predictions: Yankees’ Spencer Jones Expendable as Gerrit Cole’s Scare Fuels Relentless Pursuit of Dylan Cease

The New York Yankees, perennial World Series contenders, are facing an unforeseen crisis. Star pitcher Gerrit Cole’s latest elbow scare has exposed a glaring vulnerability in their rotation—a need for a durable, top-of-the-line starter. This unwelcome news throws a shadow of uncertainty over the Yankees’ carefully laid plans, leaving one perturbing question lingering in the New York air: Is their current rotation built well enough to withstand the pressures of a long and grueling MLB season?

Renowned MLB insider Jon Heyman drives this point home in a recent report on The Post. He reminds us that in the high-stakes world of baseball, even the most ironclad pitchers are not immune to injury. After all, as Heyman emphasizes, “even the most consistent of track records take unexpected turns.” Are the Bombers prepared well enough to weather this potential storm?

The Price for Gerrit Cole’s Injury

With Cole’s status now uncertain for this season, the Bombers desperately need to bolster their rotation to maintain aspirations for another ring. Heyman insists that “The Yankees need to act. Their depth was obviously iffy to start with, now it’s worse.” This injury scare highlights that relying on their current cast of pitchers could be a recipe for disaster—and that they should go for the ones in the market they have been targeting for so long.

Blake Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, might seem like the perfect replacement for the Yankees’ own AL Cy Young ace in Gerrit Cole. However, Snell’s astronomical demands present a major roadblock. With him reportedly coming with a price tag upwards of $60 million per season ($30 million AAV + 110% CBT penalty), the team would face a significant spike in their luxury tax bill.

Heyman speculates that it will potentially push them from $10 million over the already stretched fourth-tier luxury tax threshold to a staggering $44 million. This hefty financial burden makes acquiring Snell seem highly unlikely, forcing the Bombers to explore alternative options. That’s where trade prospect Dylan Cease comes in.

Read More: From Dylan Cease to Nick Burdi: Ranking the 5 Hottest Pitching Performances of MLB Spring Training 2024

As Heyman puts it, Cease is an “unquestionable, abject bargain,” considering his production (he hit an ERA as low as 2.20, striking out 227 in 2022) and an affordable salary, which currently stands at $8 million AAV. But acquiring him won’t be a bargain-basement deal. The Chicago White Sox are reportedly seeking a package centered around top prospect Spencer Jones—a price the Yankees might now be willing to pay.

Spencer Jones on the Trading Block?

Jones, a rising star in the Pinstripers’ farm system, may become an unexpected casualty of Cole’s injury scare. His explosive Spring Training debut performance this year—boasting a .438/.526/.688 slash line with power and discipline—has been turning heads.

However, the star prospect’s lack of experience above the Double-A level raises doubts about his immediate impact on a contending team. At present, the question surrounding Jones isn’t about his talent any more—but about the risk of sacrificing long-term potential for a short-term gain.

Now, with Gerrit Cole potentially sidelined, the Bombers may have no choice but to part with Jones and other assets. While a steep price, Heyman notes, “[teams] seek maybe one and a half times what the Brewers got for Corbin Burnes.” This puts the potential return for Cease into perspective and arguably justifies the cost for the team.

Read More: Top Yankees Prospect Spencer Jones Outpaces Nearly Everyone but Three in MLB

The Yankees find themselves at a crossroads right now. Their starting rotation’s future hinges on the health of Gerrit Cole. If he’s sidelined for an extended period, acquiring a frontline starter becomes paramount. The pursuit of Dylan Cease could be the blockbuster move that propels the Yankees back on track—if only they’re willing to sacrifice Spencer Jones.