Thoughts on Jasson Dominguez

Guest Post from Thomas Ballard

February 18, 2026

***

About 15 months ago, I wrote about how Jasson Domínguez should be, and would be, the third outfielder for the 2025 Yankees. I envisioned pairing him with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. For a couple of reasons, I was wrong. Obviously, the Juan Soto departure was the larger impact statistically and mentally, but that’s a dead horse, and we’ve all moved on from that.

What’s ironic is that the more painful part was watching my prediction slowly become more and more wrong every day last season. While Jasson made strides on the defensive side of the ball and was solid from the left side of the plate, it was never enough to retake the starting spot from Trent Grisham, who had usurped the role early in the season.

With the Yankees ending the year the way they did, many believed a change was in order. Locked in, of course, was Aaron Judge, but both Cody Bellinger and Grisham became free agents. It was my belief that one of the two would be retained, and the Yankees would let Jasson have another crack at the role, while maybe bringing in a semi-competitive veteran to push him (Austin Hays, etc.).

The Grisham qualifying offer threw me off a little, as I had him as the less likely of the two free-agent outfielders to be brought back. At that point, there were no strong reports linking Bellinger to other teams, so I assumed for a while he was coming back, and the smaller details were simply being hashed out. Once Cody locked in his new deal, it became a real question of where Jasson slots in.

On a similar path, where does Spencer Jones slot in? But that could be a whole different article.

I’ve read about and speculated myself on some potential trades, but those all feel a little lame, to be frank. Jasson’s trade value has probably never been lower. The best return, as of now, would likely be a mid-rotation pitcher or bullpen piece from a team that has nothing to lose and can provide Jasson the ability to simply play. That return doesn’t sit well. Even if Jasson doesn’t become the switch-hitting, five-tool player a lot of us thought he would, he should still net a higher return.

If you look at FanGraphs RosterResource projections, he’s been bumped down to Triple-A after the Goldschmidt signing. Let’s assume this happens, and the season begins this way. While this may feel demoralizing for Jasson, it may actually be the best move for the Yankees (and Jasson) for a few reasons.

1.) He needs to play and get reps. Trent Grisham will be a free agent again next offseason. Judge could probably use more DH days in the coming years. Cody Bellinger has flexibility across the outfield and at first base. It’s rare to have a controllable piece with real potential who could be ready to fill those needs. Starting Dominguez in Triple-A, allowing him to get his confidence back, and reassessing midseason could be a prudent move. Couple that with the fact that injuries happen… and they happen a lot in the Bronx. Having Dominguez ready to go would be immeasurably better than playing Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield, or claiming a DFA’d 35-year-old utility player, or calling up Prospect XYZ because his exit velo is “MLB ready,” or something along those lines.

2.) Dominguez can rebuild trade value. He’s in his age-23 season, which is certainly still young enough to catch the attention of other teams, especially if he goes to Triple-A, rakes, and improves in the field. Sitting on the bench in the Bronx won’t accomplish that.

To summarize: Dominguez is wasting away on the bench. Barring a spring training injury, he has no clear path to consistent playing time. Starting in Triple-A would give him time to iron out some tools that can make him either (a) a viable starting option for the Yankees, still young and under control, or (b) an eye-catching player with MLB experience who hopefully is crushing it in Triple-A and ready for a new team, netting the Yankees a high-end reliever, quality starting pitcher, or another key piece at the trade deadline or next offseason.

What are your thoughts… Could Jasson Dominguez become a consistent player in the Bronx later this season or next? Can he rebuild his trade value in Triple-A?

Or, is what he has shown us who he is and will be, and if so, should the Yankees offload him now and salvage whatever trade value is there?