One of the biggest storylines of the New York Yankees offseason was what their outfield would look like in 2026. When free agency began, New York had two high‑quality outfielders, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger, both entering unrestricted free agency.
The Yankees ultimately brought both players back. Grisham accepted the one‑year qualifying offer worth $22 million, while Bellinger returned on a five‑year, $162.5 million deal.
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But keeping both players has complicated the long‑term picture in the outfield, especially with superstar Aaron Judge locked into right field every day. It not only limits opportunities for switch‑hitting slugger Jasson Dominguez but also for top outfield prospect Spencer Jones.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17)© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
(© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
While Dominguez has at least received chances at the big‑league level, Jones has remained in Triple‑A despite being deserving of a shot. Last season in the minors, Jones posted a .274 batting average, .362 on‑base percentage, a .932 OPS, 35 home runs and 80 RBIs across 116 games.
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In November, the 24-year-old was finally added to the 40‑man roster. He has followed that up with an excellent spring, hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs across nine appearances thus far.
Unfortunately, it still was not enough to crack the Opening Day roster. On Monday, the Yankees announced that Jones had been optioned back to Triple‑A, officially ending his bid to make the team out of camp.
Fans were quick to voice their frustration in the replies to the announcement, criticizing the decision.
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One fan replied, “Top prospect starting in the minors again yikes…”
“Why would he be sent down?” another asked.
“Jones already didn’t make the team???” questioned one more.
One fan added, “Ridiculous to demote Jones who is crushing it this spring because of the awful decision to resign Grisham.”
“What a waste, just trade him . Give him a chance somewhere else,” wrote another.
While the move makes sense given the current roster construction, keeping a top talent in the minors for this long is difficult to justify.
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The Yankees could trade him for a piece that helps elsewhere, whether in the rotation or the infield, but holding onto him without giving him a real opportunity does not sit well with fans who see him as part of the team’s future.
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