WFAN’s Chris McMonigle apologized to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for the frustrations he expressed after the Yankees failed to acquire former Brewers ace pitcher Corbin Burnes (now with the Baltimore Orioles). After recent reports on why the Yankees trade fell through, McMonigle better understood Cashman’s decision.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman discussed the situation on Heyman’s Hot Stove Notebook and said Milwaukee wanted Yankees top outfield prospect Spencer Jones.
“The Yankees were certainly in on Burnes. My understanding is that Milwaukee, like the White Sox, wanted Spencer Jones,” Heyman said. “People love Spencer Jones… Jones, I think, was a key for the Yankees and they didn’t want to give him up.”
Jones was drafted in the first round out of Vanderbilt in 2022 and signed for $2.88 million. He played High-A ball for the Hudson Valley Renegades until late August before moving to the Double-A Somerset Patriots. He had a .267 average, 29 doubles, 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 43 steals and a .780 OPS in 117 games.
“He’s their best prospect in the farm system,” McMonigle said in his apology. “As much as I’m all in, there has to be some common sense that you don’t trade your top blue-chip prospect for a rental. If you don’t have to give up your top prospect for Juan Soto, why would you have to give him up for Burnes? That’s where Milwaukee was, and I completely understand Cash. I apologize. I should have never doubted you.”