Yankees to land fruition trade for Cardinals 27-year-old gifted player in exchange for Spencer Jones to save New York from pending DJ LeMahieu disaster

The New York Yankees are aiming to make a World Series return in 2025, despite losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to their city rivals. They’ve strengthened their roster by signing two former MVPs, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, who will join Aaron Judge, a two-time MVP, and Giancarlo Stanton, a former National League MVP. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. still under contract, the Yankees have one of the most formidable lineups in the American League on paper. However, the departure of Gleyber Torres has left a gap in the infield.

At the winter meetings, GM Brian Cashman expressed confidence in DJ LeMahieu to step up. LeMahieu, 36, struggled with injuries in 2024, playing just 67 games and posting a career-low .204 batting average. But from 2019-2023, he hit .285 with a .788 OPS over five seasons as a three-time All-Star. While Cashman’s expectation for LeMahieu to return to those numbers might seem unrealistic to some, it’s not entirely out of the question.

Starting LeMahieu at second base this season is a gamble for the Yankees, especially with their championship goals in mind. However, they’ve assembled one of the strongest starting rotations, with Max Fried joining Gerrit Cole and American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.

The offseason is far from over, though. With Jasson Dominguez set to take over left field, New York might consider trading one of their top prospects, Spencer Jones, to acquire a player like St. Louis Cardinals star Brendan Donovan.

Jones for Donovan makes perfect sense for both the Yankees and Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are focused on building up their prospects, and Spencer Jones is an appealing option. The 23-year-old has posted a .270 batting average and a .800 OPS over three minor league seasons. Jones was a standout at Vanderbilt, where he hit 73 home runs and achieved a remarkable .329 batting average, making him one of the most promising young players.

 

 

With the Cardinals looking to add more young talent to their roster and the Yankees in need of an infielder to strengthen their chances for a title, a trade involving Jones for Brendan Donovan could be a win-win for both teams.

New York is determined to capture their 28th World Series with Aaron Judge, who will turn 33 next season. While Judge remains an exceptional player, he may not continue to hit 50-plus home runs for much longer. Similarly, Gerrit Cole, a former Cy Young winner, is also aging and coming off a season in which he missed significant time due to injuries. With their key superstars getting older, it’s crucial for the Yankees to focus on building a championship-contending team now.

Donovan would be an excellent addition to the Yankees roster. He’s a high on-base player, boasting a career .364 OBP, and a solid .280 career batting average. His presence in the lineup would allow stars like Judge, Bellinger, Goldschmidt, Stanton, and Chisholm to drive in runs. Adding Donovan would be ideal for New York as they look to contend for the 2025 title.