The Yankees and Mets could soon compete to sign another player.
The Mets are viewed as the likely frontrunners in acquiring Mitch Keller, with the Yankees increasingly involved in the pursuit as well. To avoid losing Keller to the Mets, the Yankees may need to part with a valuable prospect, most notably Spencer Jones, whom the organization is reluctant to trade but might have to include to outbid other interested teams.
Keller, a durable right-handed starter with a solid 3.48 ERA and a team-friendly contract extending through 2028, offers the Yankees a chance to bolster their rotation significantly, especially given current injuries to key pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt. Adding Keller to a rotation with Max Fried and Carlos Rodon would create a formidable starting staff no contender would want to face.
From the Pirates’ perspective, acquiring a high-upside hitter like Spencer Jones would address their pressing need for offense, as they have pitching prospects ready but lack a strong lineup. Jones brings power, speed, and defense but carries some risk due to strikeout rates. The Pirates would likely demand a prospect of Jones’ caliber in any Keller trade, making him the most realistic and valuable asset the Yankees could offer.
Ultimately, the Yankees’ willingness to include Jones in a deal could determine whether Keller ends up in the Bronx or with the Mets in Queens, underlining the high stakes and strategic considerations surrounding this potential trade.
This assessment reflects reports and analysis from various MLB sources, including insights from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles and other MLB insiders as of July 2025.
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