Would you trade Spencer Jones for this All-Star third baseman? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Yankees might miss out on one trade target, but according to SNY’s John Harper, that loss could force GM Brian Cashman to go nuclear.
In Harper’s second-half predictions column, he has the Mets beating the Yankees to Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suárez. That stings. But the next move? That’s where Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner shift.
Harper predicts the Yankees will respond by making a blockbuster deal for Guardians All-Star José Ramírez, sending a massive package to Cleveland that includes top prospect Spencer Jones.
It’s the kind of swing-for-the-fences deal fans have been begging for.
Ramírez turns 33 in September, but he’s still one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. Heading into the second half, he’s slashing .275/.328/.474 with 18 homers, 68 RBI, and 20 steals. He’s also signed through 2028 at a pretty team-friendly $141 million.
Would Cleveland actually move him? That’s the hitch in this prediction.
Ramírez is beloved in northeast Ohio and has a full no-trade clause. But Harper argues the Guardians might listen, especially with the team treading water and Ramírez entering his mid-30s.
And if he’s going to waive the no-trade? It would be for a real title shot.
The Yankees badly need help at third base, where they rank 22nd in OPS.
The question is whether Cashman would really deal Jones, the 6-foot-6 power-hitting outfielder often compared to Aaron Judge.
Jones is slashing a scorching .362/.426/.776 over his first 14 Triple‑A games, blasting seven homers in just 58 at‑bats since promotion on June 27 — a powerhouse start that highlights his upside. But his swing-and-miss hangs over him. He was striking out at a 33.7 percent clip in Double‑A (third‑highest in the Eastern League) and still sits around 30 percent through his early Triple‑A stint.
The Yankees still don’t know what Jones will develop into and there is a fear that if they trade him he will grow into a beast in the big leagues.
It’s a big risk, but as Harper explains, desperate times call for big swings.
If the Yankees whiff on Suárez, Ramírez could be the all-in move to save their season, and maybe their October.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.