TAMPA — Don’t be surprised if The Martian lands at Triple-A on Opening Day.
That’s because Brian Cashman said that Jasson Domínguez would benefit from regular playing time on Friday. As things stand, the Yankees can’t offer that to the 23-year-old.
“If everything stays the same, we’ll be forced to determine what’s our best course of action to help this team be impactful. I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” Cashman said during the Grapefruit League’s virtual media day. “So we’ll just have to wait and see how the spring shakes out, who’s standing, and then we’ll make the appropriate decisions when we have our meetings close to the end of the camp.”
Domínguez, fresh off his first full big league season after some injuries impeded his development, lost his path to a starting job this offseason when the Yankees brought back Trent Grisham to play center field and Cody Bellinger to play left. With Aaron Judge a mainstay in right, Domínguez shouldn’t expect consistent playing time in the majors unless there’s an injury to one of those three or the Bombers’ designated hitter, Giancarlo Stanton.
While the Yankees could keep Domínguez in the majors as their fourth outfielder, he is an imperfect fit for that role because he only plays left, and not particularly well. The switch-hitter also hasn’t shown that he can be a threat from the right side; Cashman didn’t rule out the possibility of adding a righty-swinging outfielder after missing out on some over the offseason.
Keeping Domínguez on the pine would also decrease the versatility of a projected bench that already includes Paul Goldschmidt, who only plays first, and J.C. Escarra, a backup catcher who can technically play other positions but is best suited staying behind the plate.
There’s also righty-swinging utilityman Amed Rosario, a lock for the bench, and the ultra-versatile Oswaldo Cabrera. The latter could beat Domínguez out for the last bench spot — both have minor league options — as Cabrera is positioned as the Yankees’ backup shortstop with José Caballero set to start in place of the injured Anthony Volpe.
Rosario, Cabrera and Caballero can all play the outfield, and Bellinger can always shift to center or right as needed.
All of those factors are pointing to a Domínguez demotion, though Cashman repeatedly noted that the speedster’s legs offer some value off the bench. Domínguez’s bat also has the highest ceiling among the Yankees’ bench candidates.
“Stay tuned, and we’ll see how it all plays out,” Cashman said of Domínguez potentially being sent down.
The general manager previously said that he did not want to demote Domínguez when the player found himself in a similar situation last season. Domínguez entered the year as the Yankees’ starting left fielder, but his deficiencies turned him into a seldom-used bench piece by season’s end while Bellinger commanded everyday playing time and Grisham enjoyed a breakout campaign.
“There were still lanes for him to contribute with us — coming off the bench, pinch run, etc. — and we were amidst a pennant race,” Cashman said of not optioning Domínguez in 2025.
Domínguez, who could also be a trade chip, is not the Yankees’ only young outfielder pushing for playing time and trying to avoid a Triple-A assignment this spring, as there’s also Spencer Jones.
The prospect is turning 25 in May and is coming off a power-heavy season split between Double-A and Triple-A, but concerns over his swing-and-miss tendencies remain despite Cashman saying Jones “conquered a lot of things last year.”
Cashman added that Jones could compete for a starting gig in some other organizations but is “currently blocked with us.” He also said that Domínguez is ahead of Jones on the Yankees’ depth chart because the latter has more experience, though Cashman also said Jones can handle all three outfield positions.
“He really closed down a lot of things in his development that he needed to address last year,” Cashman said. “He’s continued at that into this winter, and I’m looking forward to him having a good camp.”