The New York Yankees' top trade candidate is becoming more and more clear as we get closer to the MLB regular season.
The New York Yankees are just weeks away from Opening Day, and with their roster taking shape, it's clear who will be left out in the cold.
Not that it should come as a surprise to anyone based on Brian Cashman's comments throughout the winter, but outfielder Jasson Dominguez seems like a shoo-in to begin the MLB regular season in Triple-A, which is certainly disappointing considering he began 2025 as the Yankees' starting left fielder.
Randal Grichuk appears to have the inside track to winning the fourth outfielder job, and regardless, New York wants Dominguez getting everyday reps. Reps he wouldn't get as a bench player on the big-league level.
It's also starting to become more and more obvious that Dominguez is the Yankees' top trade candidate going into 2026.
Once an elite prospect, Dominguez's stock has plummeted since his brutal showing in left field last season. The 23-year-old was one of the worst defenders in baseball, and it's not like he made up for it with the bat.
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.Yes, Dominguez displayed solid plate discipline (.331 OBP) and had some moments over the first couple of months of the campaign, but for the most part, the Dominican native was a disappointment, managing a .719 OPS.
With New York re-signing Cody Bellinger on a five-year deal, it will be tough to find a spot for Dominguez. Meanwhile, Spencer Jones could very well be the Yanks' center fielder of the future, which may spell the end for Dominguez.
Dominguez's trade value has certainly dipped, but because he is still very young and remains a big name, he could absolutely represent a key piece in a major trade between now and the August deadline.
It's possible — if not likely — that the Yankees will move Dominguez at some point.
The youngster known as "The Martian" doesn't have a position, and his bat isn't good enough to DH. He has a decent eye and is a great baserunner, so perhaps there is a team out there that feels it can work with him, but you just get the feeling that Dominguez's time in the Bronx is running out.
In previous years, New York left Dominguez out of trade discussions. The mere mention of his name in talks was a nonstarter. That has almost definitely changed.
We'll see if the Yankees end up jettisoning Dominguez this summer.
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