The New York Yankees have been faced with a host of uncertainties this spring, many of which stem from a string of injuries that have plagued the team. These injuries came on the heels of a significant loss in Juan Soto, who had contributed 41 home runs and an impressive .989 OPS last season. Soto, who was one of the Yankees’ key offensive players, will now be playing across town for the New York Mets in 2025. As a result, the Yankees have had to adjust to life without one of their biggest hitters, leaving several gaps in their lineup and overall team structure.
One area that the Yankees had hoped to have locked down was their outfield alignment. The team had made plans to sign former MVP candidate Cody Bellinger as a free agent, expecting him to take over center field duties.
Meanwhile, perennial star Aaron Judge was set to play right field, and the organization was confident in their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, handling the left field position. The Yankees were banking on Dominguez, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 for a record $5.1 million bonus, to seamlessly step into the role of starting left fielder and live up to the high expectations surrounding his talent.
However, the defense that Dominguez has displayed in left field during spring training has caused concern. His defensive struggles have been a significant point of frustration for not only fans but also for key voices within the organization. Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay has openly expressed his discontent with Dominguez getting the starting left field spot.
Jasson Dominguez
More significantly, former Yankees outfielder Cameron Maybin has raised doubts about the decision, even going as far as to suggest that the team might consider trading Dominguez in order to strengthen their defense. This has added fuel to the fire of growing skepticism regarding the young player’s readiness for the major league level.
The situation reached a new level of scrutiny when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, a far more influential figure than any fan or former player, weighed in. On Friday, Cashman made it clear that the starting left field position is not guaranteed for Dominguez, even with his high-ranking prospect status. Cashman stated that Dominguez may not be included in the opening day lineup, implying that the highly touted rookie has yet to prove he has “earned” the spot.
This public acknowledgment from Cashman further complicates the situation and suggests that the Yankees are far from certain about Dominguez’s readiness to take on a starting role, despite his promising potential. It also hints at the possibility that the team may need to reassess their plans for left field, and possibly explore other options, as the regular season approaches.
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