Look, everyone’s buzzing about Aaron Judge coming back, right? But the real talk needs to be about what that means for Spencer Jones, because the dude has been absolutely ELECTRIC, and there’s no way he’s getting sent down for the most important games of the season. SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes just dropped some serious insight, and it’s clear Jones is staying on this roster, no matter how tight things get.
Jones Isn’t Going Anywhere, So Who Does That Leave?
Forget the idea of Trent Grisham holding down center field over Jones, especially if Judge is back. While Janes can “see a world” where Grisham gets some time against righties, leveraging his experience to get his bat going before the postseason, Jones is simply too good. He’s been a monster, a legit power threat, and the Yankees cannot take him off the roster for the stretch run into October. It’s just not happening. So if Jones is staying, and Judge is returning, that means someone else has got to go.
The Roster Crunch Is Coming For The Infield
This is where it gets spicy. With Judge back, the Yankees have to clear a position player spot, and their general lack of right-handed bats makes this whole thing a headache. Heliot Ramos looks safe, likely staying on as a pinch-hitter or a platoon option in center against tough lefties. That leaves an infielder to take the hit. Amed Rosario is feeling like the most likely choice, even though he’s a right-handed option off the bench who still holds the team’s confidence despite a tough offensive season. But here’s the kicker: come postseason, Paul Goldschmidt can step into that role, even pinch-hitting from another infield spot. The proven versatility of Jose Caballero and the theoretical versatility of Luis Garcia Jr. give them some creative options, too. Ryan McMahon’s defense at third is probably too vital for pitchers like Max Fried to drop him, but if they get worried about being too left-handed, that decision might actually be made. Bottom line: Jones has simply proven himself too valuable to remove.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Massive Contract And The Race To 500
Then there’s the whole Giancarlo Stanton situation. Will we even see him in pinstripes again? It’s a huge question mark. His contract makes any retirement scenario incredibly complicated. The Yankees owe him a whopping $25 million next year, plus a $10 million buyout if they decide to cut ties for 2028. That’s $35 million, which isn’t nothing, even for the Yankees. Janes’ expectation is that this is totally up to Stanton. If he wants to try and play, especially with only 44 home runs separating him from the legendary 500 club, the Yankees will likely give him the chance. Even as a semi-regular designated hitter and a bench bat, his clubhouse presence probably justifies keeping him around. But his legs… well, we’ll see.
This early April run is just getting started, and every game on their path to the postseason matters. With roster moves like these looming, it’s going to be wild to watch how it all shakes out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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