After a winter-long staring contest between the Yankees and Cody Bellinger‘s camp, the sides have finally reunited on a five-year pact. It’s great news for a Yankees lineup that benefited greatly from Bellinger’s production (125 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR) in 2025, but that news isn’t quite as exciting for the Yankees’ young outfielders. With Trent Grisham (129 wRC+, 3.2 fWAR) back in town via the qualifying offer, Bellinger’s return means it will be tough for former top prospect Jasson Dominguez and current top prospect Spencer Jones to push their way into the lineup.
That might not seem like a significant concern at first glance. After all, the Yankees have only returned the same group of outfielders they worked with last year, and playing time wasn’t a substantial concern for either Jones or Dominguez then. That’s an incomplete look at the situation, however. Slugging DH Giancarlo Stanton missed the first half of the season last year due to an injury impacting both of his elbows, which created ample playing time in the first half of the season for Dominguez. Jones, meanwhile, opened the year at Double-A and wasn’t realistically on the big league radar until near the end of 2025. By the time the trade deadline had passed (Aaron Judge‘s brief trip to the injured list notwithstanding), New York was forced to get creative and use Ben Rice behind the plate on occasion just to fit all their players into the lineup.
While that’s not entirely a bad problem to have, it can be challenging for a young player to develop and succeed at the big league level without consistent playing time. That could spell trouble for Dominguez, whose 2025 campaign saw him post a 103 wRC+ with ten homers, 23 steals, and 0.6 fWAR due to lackluster defense in the outfield. That’s decent enough production for a rookie, but not exactly the sort of five-tool superstar he was once lauded as. Getting closer to that ceiling will surely require plenty of in-game reps, and it’s fair to wonder if the team will have enough of those to offer him at this point without an injury occurring. That’s before even considering Jones, who slugged 19 homers in 67 games at Triple-A last year and will certainly be ready for his first taste of big league action sometime this year (if he isn’t already).
With Bellinger, Judge, and Stanton all locked into the outfield/DH mix for years to come while Grisham figures to continue getting regular reps this season, the argument for a trade is fairly clear. If the Yankees could find substantial value on the trade market, it could make plenty of sense to upgrade the infield (where Jose Caballero and Ryan McMahon figure to kick off the season as regulars on the left side), a bullpen that lost both Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to the Mets across town, or even a starting rotation that will be without Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to open the year.
With that said, it’s unclear just how available many interesting players are at this point. The Yankees missed out on Freddy Peralta and Edward Cabrera already. Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan are not expected to be moved as the Twins work towards competing this year. Someone like Brady Singer could still be available, but it seems unlikely that the Yankees would give up five seasons of Dominguez (never mind six of Jones) for a rental innings eater. Brendan Donovan is available, but he’s been pursued by many teams at this point. Unless the Yankees win the bidding war for Donovan or a shock trade of someone like Tarik Skubal happens, it’s unclear where the Yankees could look to move Dominguez or Jones without selling low.
Perhaps the Yankees would be best off holding onto both youngsters, at least for the time being. After all, it’s not impossible to imagine playing time opening up in the team’s outfield. Stanton, Judge, and even Bellinger have substantial injury histories, while Grisham was a bench player as recently as 2024. Bellinger is also capable of handling first base, so there are ways to squeeze another outfielder into the lineup even without sitting anyone from that group. Keeping both Jones and Dominguez in order to utilize them as trade chips come July could make sense, as more acute needs could pop up throughout the season due to injuries or other issues. On the other hand, if the team keeps both players in the fold throughout the first half, Grisham would then be only a couple of months away from free agency. At that point, the team might be best served simply holding both players for the whole season.
How do MLBTR readers think the Yankees will handle their glut of outfielders? Should they try and pull off a trade to make sure neither Jones nor Dominguez has their development stunted by a lack of MLB playing time? Or should they hold onto their depth to protect against injuries, at least until the deadline this summer? Have your say in the poll below:
Will the Yankees trade Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones?
-
No, both Dominguez and Jones will remain in the organization through the end of the 2026 season. 44% (3,755)
-
The Yankees will trade Dominguez or Jones, but not until the summer. 30% (2,540)
-
Yes, the Yankees will trade Dominguez or Jones before Opening Day. 27% (2,279)
Total votes: 8,574
Danny Tartabull, pack your bags!
The Yankees are looking really bad. Their infield is full of holes.
Better call the head groundskeeper.
Gunga La gunga.
iq – The outfield/DH situation is not as bad as portrayed though.
For instance “With Bellinger, Judge, and Stanton all locked into the outfield/DH mix for years to come” is not accurate.
Stanton’s guaranteed contract is done after next year. Yanks have a $15M option on 2028 that they are unlikely to pick up, and i doubt they will give him a new extension unless he turns into Miami Stanton over the next two seasons.
Because this could be all yours …..if the price is right all expenses paid to some place warm, some place where the beer flows like wine, I’m talking about a little place called asssspinnn California!!
sbmcintosh36@gmail.com Ahhh the sunshine state
Only way I trade Dominguez or Jones, is in a package for Skubal(with a 7 or 8 year extension) or for Skenes( with a 8 or 9 year extension) No extension than no trade for either pitcher.
a trade package with either young outfielder for Skenes
is perfectly acceptable without an immediate extension.
4 years of Skenes is great for 5 years of Dominguez or 6 of Jones
and it’s not as though the Yankees can not afford to pay market price if they want more Skenes
@dubinsky- without an extention signed lst is not acceptable at all, and is a horrible business decision. That’s why I didn’t want Freddy Peralta, you don’t give up your top prospects with all those years of control to watch a rental leave the following year. Offering a contract extension for a star pitcher at $50-55 million for multiple years is totally acceptable. If he doesn’t sign, it’s easy you just don’t make the trade.
Skenes is under control for 4 more years, he’s not signing anything long term unless it’s nearing half billion
Skenes has 4 yrs team control yet so extension not necessary or happening. Skubal with Boras as rep also not happening unless Dodgers blow him away with a 7/385 offer at $55 million avv and its possible Dodgers knowing the labor lockout ifs looming and possible deferrals eliminated they will strike while iron is hot.
Yes, if the door opens on a Skenes potential trade the Dodgers will blow away every other offer to have him anchor their injury riddled rotation…..the Yankees only hope would be a NY city discounted offer which Boras probably would never allow….
Labor lockout is an interesting point pertaining to Skubal, because you won’t see teams dropping the big eight figure signing bonuses like Tucker and Bellinger both received, they’ll want to sit on the cash internally.
Anyone in their right mind would offer Skenes an extension right away after a trade with the Pirates. It’s an easy decision really. If Skenes accepts the extension lst, then you offer the Bucs four top prospects right away. Basically you give Pittsburgh a list of prospects and let them choose who they would want. Jones or Dominguez, Rodriguez Cruz or Cunningham, Gil or Warren, Lombard or Kilby, Hess or Lagrange. Am I making sense with this? It definitely sounds right.
Dominguez and Jones are not even a fraction of the type of package that would get Skenes. Silly to even mention those players in the same paragraph. Dominguez and Jones are not even close to enough for Bubba Chandler, let alone Skenes.
A serious trade offer for Skenes would be six players: Ben Rice, and George Lombard, and Carlos LaGrange, and Elmer Rodriguez, and Dax Kilby, and Cam Schlittler. Even then, the Pirates would probably decline.
Skubal is totally different as a one year rental. He might only cost twice as much as Peralta did.
@mlb
That’s a really silly trade proposal. Schlittler might end up being better, or as good, as Chandler alone. Then you value Rice as if he’s not a mlb hitter with success but more like a prospect. Please find me a trade comparison that happened for 6 mlb or elite prospects for 1 pitcher.
He is not wrong. The package you’re alluding to would fetch you Joe Ryan. Not Skenes.
I clearly state that the six players are for Skenes, not Chandler.
All I said regarding Chandler, is that a package Dominguez and Jones would fall way short. Chandler would not fetch anywhere near as much as Skenes.
Knicks, re-read MLB’s post. He never said all that for Chandler. Only Skenes. The game has changed and starters who go long in games has never been at such a premium. I would think a proposal of Schlittler, Lombard, Jones and one or two others might be enough. It has to though start with Schlittler and I know Yankee fans are dreaming of having both. The Pirates would only trade Skenes now if it were to suddenly make the team a playoff contender. Lombard might be the real deal but after Volpe, who knows? The same can be said for Dominguez and Jones. Dominguez got hurt but his outfield instincts are horrible. Duran improved his game with Boston but so far Dominguez has not. Separately, Jones is a wild card. Who knows if he will be able to catch up to MLB pitching?
The Pirates traded 2 years of Cole and the players they got back really didn’t pan out there. Skenes will stay in Pittsburgh till free agency, he’s the drawcard and most important player on that team. Just enjoy what you have until it ends. Maybe defer his contract over 50 years. 10 million a year for 50 years.
@spaced
can’t even take you serious.
Most prospects never pan out. Look at the prospects the Tigers received for Verlander … the two top prospects never made it to the majors so basically all we received was Jake Rogers, a career .200 hitter.
The Yankees should trade the extra OFers. Help the major league club over the minor league club.
Why not throw in Santa Claus in your hypothetical trade for Skenes….he is a terrific, young pitcher but that’s an over the top hypothetical….Skenes, given the Pirates being one of the cheapest franchises in the majors who for years have enjoyed the money they scam off of teams paying the league luxury tax money, will definitely lose him in several years…we’ll all wait as he becomes continually frustrated by continual losing seasons……
It’s the natural overestimation of home talent.
Everyone home fan does it.
@dewey-yes your comments are making sense if you make a trade with the Bucs, you try for an extension right away despite those years of control. Especially when you are trading 4 top prospects for a star player. You send a list of prospects and than let the Pirates choose who they would want lst. Please look at my comments above and let me know what you think about what I said and thnx.
The Pirates may have to trade Skenes sooner because of arbitration. They may only have him 2 more years. A trade of Skenes with 2 years of control would be very good.
Done lol, would rather this than Dominguez or Jones
@99
He’s a Boras client. I would be scared is he accepted an extension 3+ years from FA. Might make me very skeptical on his physical health.
Pirates won’t listen until they include either Clint Frazier or Greg Bird
@ReyDay- I get your pain really. A loser fan rooting for a loser team. I really hoped you learned something today, doubt you really did though. Yes I know what I talking about as far as making trades when top prospects are involved. So please go back to bed, and dream, for your favorite team to actually make the playoffs. Good luck with all of that! 👍🏿
Will prospect hugging Brian Cashman trade Dominguez or Jones? Gee that’s a tough one. I’m going with of course not.
The question is what do other teams feel about either of them? While Dominguez showed he has potential in the brief late original call up, he’s not been as good as advertised and his glove so far has been awful. As for Jones he not only needs to show he can hit big league pitching but he has to cut down on his strikeouts. Given the minor league pitching he faced, without discipline and hard work, I doubt it.
Neither of them has value. Heck, Red Sox fans think they can get some kind of wonderful for Duran and it ain’t gonna happen. I don’t understand the obsession with trading players who aren’t going to bring back any value.
@Why
To say they don’t have value is kind of stupid. Cashman doesn’t control what “experts” put on their top 100 lists. To say teams don’t desire cody controlled prospects is crazy. I’m not suggesting they alone could get you Skubal but look who we traded to get Soto.
That’s a ridiculous take @whyhayzee. Both of them have significant value. Players often struggle when they first come up so what the Martian demonstrated was actually really damn good. Yeah, the defense is a problem. But teams are always looking for hitting and especially when there is that much control remaining on a guy. The Yankees have definite trade value here, but they will hang on to them at least until.the deadline.
Why is a troll, no need to feed it.
zee, what do the Red Sox have to do with the Yankees trading an OF?
No, the Yankees and Cash man over value Jones and Dominguez. One is struggling to hit in the minors, and the other is a disaster in the field. Justin-Henry Malloy showed a decent bat and no field and got waived. No team is going out of their way for six years of a DH prospect. Jones is essentially Joey Gallo without the contact.
Just to give you a bit of perspective, over the last 3 seasons Duran has been a top 5 OF and he didn’t even play FT until a month into 2023.
Over the past 2 seasons, only Judge and Soto have been better.
What does that mean? It means Duran is a top 3-4 OF in MLB with 3 seasons of team control. He is going to be expensive to trade for. Very, very expensive.
@stymee
I think the comp is a bit lazy. I’m not sure which of Gallo vs Jones “has the contract”? I’m assuming you mean Jone a? But there is also more value to Jones being his bat altho his bat OBVIOUSLY is his ticket to the bigs. The fact that Jones can play all 3 OF spots including CF at high enough level to play everyday AND the fact that he sold on average, 32 based each of the lady 3 seasons gives him added value.
Jones partial scouting report
Speed/Defense: Above-average runner for his size, capable of stealing bases (43 in 2023). Covers significant ground in center field with a strong arm.
Gallo partial scouting report
Arm: Above-average to elite arm strength (100th-percentile in 2020), allowing him to play corner outfield spots and third base.
Fielding: Capable outfielder, though range was considered below average by some scouts.
To say “no team would want 6 years of control” for a guy like Jones sounds crazy when you consider guys like Adam Dunn, Mark Reynolds, Rob Deer, Dave Kingman have all had 10+ years in the bigs. And like some of those guys Jones can also draw walks with a career 12% in the minors. It’s yet to p be seen if he can relocate that in the majors but like any prospect that’s to be determined.
Bottom line is, plenty of teams will take a guy like Jones for 6 cheap years and if he becomes expensive in his 3rd year then that likely means he’s doing something right to be in a position to earn more. Even 3 years at minimum would be interesting for 10-15 teams looking for a 30/30 potential guy.
The top 100 is a total crap shoot. How many former top prospects are signing minor league contracts this offseason? Come on, wake up. These players have little value unless they are truly can’t miss major league talent. I think the two teams are in a similar position. Unless another team thinks any of those players are difference makers, they’re not worth much.
“struggled to hit minor league pitching is a little off. jones is a strong outfielder that had 274/362/571 splits last year between AA and AAA with 35 home runs. that’s not too shabby. Dominguez was a highly rated center fielder and didn’t adjust well moving to right. they both still have value
Duran had a 4.7 WAR last year and 8.7 the year before. You can see why they are asking a lot.
@why
Yet top 100 prospects get traded every year. Last I checked the Yanks got Jazz, McMahon, Bednar, Doval, Weathers and Soto for non top 100 prospects. Some of those include Agustin Ramirez who hit 21 homers for the Marlins in his rookie season. Caleb Durbin the starting 3B for the Brewers who was worth 3 WAR in his rookie year. Carlos Narvaez who’s the starting C for the Red Sox worth 3 WAR in his rookie season. That’s not to mention the non top 100 prospects of their own they promoted like Will Warren who tied the mlb lead for most starts this season. Ben Rice who hit 26 homers and had a +3 WAR. And Cam Schlittler who posted a 2.96 ERA in his first 14 mlb starts. So yeah, Cashman has done a great job in trading talent to bring in needs and keeping the right guys for the team. Only guy i regret is Durbin by can live with it because we all thought Devin Williams was worth the risk.
@Salzilla… If by troll you mean being an overzealous critic of rivals of his/her team….then you’re right. Saying those two have no value is going too far.
I read that as a pushback on the hubris some fans seem to have for prospects, when some red flags already exist.
Everyone has value…you just have to find the right team and opportunity…….Jones has value because he hits with power…and strikeouts are a part of today’s game….nobody complains about 1-4 with 1 K a game any longer…and The Martian also has value given he is a switch hitter even though he is better on one side than the other and defensively he is playing out of position in LF which in the Bronx is a tough field to play well….and there are lots of teams that would love to have Duran roaming their out field and value his offense too…..
The fact still remains that Duran is a higher caliber player than Jones or Dominguez are today. Other teams are not going to give you something for nothing.
Skeens stays where he’s at and Skubal isn’t moving until the trade deadline.
Why, explain how Duran with three years of control doesn’t have value? The problem is his cost will be catching up to his value and after this year, some teams might not want to pay him his true worth (arb). He woukd not be on the market if the team wasn’t already stacked.
Yes, you probably said the same about Rob Refsneyder too….bag of balls for him would be an overpay said almost every “expert” commentator on this site…..
When I say it’s a crap shoot, it means some are winners and some are losers. It’s not like all the top 100 even get to the majors. Drill down to the top 10. How many become good major leaguers? Not all top 10 that’s for sure. And over time the top 10 changes to be stronger or weaker depending on the composition. So merely being a top 10 in any given year has some variability. It’s all conjecture and guesswork. I was really good at hiring professionals. But they didn’t sit at their desk with someone trying to prevent them from doing their job. Competition is a game changer. And you can’t measure success until you see it. No manner of talent and lower level success will guarantee high level major league performance. Yes, partly due to injuries but also just being asked to do something you can’t do. Volpe is an example of this, grossly mistreated by the organization. First round pick with nowhere near first round pedigree, showered with attention throughout the minors, being asked to fill the shortstop position at Yankee Stadium. Has he failed? No. But he also hasn’t been as “advertised”. And that’s what he was: advertised. It’s really a shame.
@Sty
no. Malloy never showed a good bat at all. his 1 skull was his ability to draw a walk and that’s it. he was never highly regarded as a prospect either.
Several guys posted highest WAR than Duran over the last 3 and 2 year spans bro
@Rey
You’re biased bro. ridiculously
@Dogs
What’s the point of you comparing Duran to Jones or Dominguez?
Dominguez has played mainly LF with a few games in CF and DH with no games in RF in the majors. The last time he played CF regularly was in 2023. His fielding has never been his strong point, although a 50 FV meant he graded out as MLB average. That was for a corner OF position, not CF. His calling card has always been power.
dewey, If Duran only produces at a 4.7 WAR level, his cost will never catch up with his value over the next 3 years. Breslow said that while teams have called about him, the Red Sox have no intention of trading him. He is not on the market except in the heads of a few Red Sox fans.
I am not your “bro”. Intelligent adults don’t use that kind of language.
Not among outfielders as I specified in my comment. Reading comprehension is a skill. Research is also. Both should come before commenting.
Past 2 Seasons
Judge – 20.5 WAR
Soto – 14.4 WAR
Duran – 13.3 WAR
JRodriguez – 11.1 WAR
Carroll – 9.2 WAR
Tatis – 8.6 WAR
Past 3 Seasons
Judge – 25.1 WAR
Soto – 19.5 WAR
JRod – 16.6 WAR
Duran – 15.5 WAR
Carroll – 14.4 WAR
Tatis – 13.8 WAR
@joe
It’s hard to say that when you consider that he’s traded away so many prospects over the last two years. He moved 15-20 to get Jazz, Soto, Williams, Caballero, Ramirez, Doval, Bednar, Cruz, Rosario, Weathers, McMahon, etc. But he also held on to Rice, Dominguez, Warren, Schmidt, Schlittler, Gil, Volpe, Wells, Williams and has 4 guys on most top 100 lists in Jones, Ramirez, Lagrange, Lombard and more. Who even knew who Dillon Lewis, Brendan Jones or Marshall Toole was until they were the main piece to get Westhers and Caballero? Cashman had turned towards using prospects as currency to imprint the team vs spending cash. Give him credit for putting together a deep farm full of prospects others team wasn’t that weren’t top 100 guys.
Cashman will trade lower prospects but he doesn’t usually trade the top guys.
@joe
Is that a bad thing? Give him credit for building a farm system whether guys that aren’t even top 10 in the organization yet have trade value. The guys they got weren’t salary dump players. Fans creativity for trade proposals ate usually limited to guys on popular lists. Scouts dig deeper and are usually more informed.
Yankees top guys don’t really breakthrough though
He needed to trade valuable chips to get Soto. As for the others named, Cashman did what every GM does. You trade two or three marginal or wild card prospects for a decent but not spectacular major leaguer.
@Dewey
Who did they give up? King wasn’t valued as a SP by the Yanks. Hoggy lost his back up job. Thorpe appeared on some pre-2024 Prospect list in the 45-85 range and didn’t appear ever again. Vazquez appeared on 1 pre-2022 list and never appeared again. Brito was a nobody. So who eye these valuable chips you speak of?
Delusional much?
King was expected to be the #4 starter in the Yankees rotation prior to the trade. According to Cashman they signed Stroman in January of 2024 because they gave up King in the Soto trade.
Higashioka caught the most games for the Yankees in 2023. He was above Trevino on the depth chart. We know that because at the beginning of the winter meetings Cashman said so.
Thorpe was the Yankees #1 pitching prospect at the time of the trade and was #85 on the Top 100 to start the 2024 season. That was after the trade, btw.
Brito had 13 starts, 25 appearances, and a league average ERA and ERA+ for the Yankees in 2023. Far from a nobody.
Vazquez was a top 100 prospect before exceeding his rookie eligibility in 2023. He made 11 appearances and 5 starts with a 2.87 ERA.
I know you don’t WANT to think the Yankees gave up valuable chips, but the facts say that they gave up 4 MLB players and a top 100 prospect for Soto. That was a huge return for the Padres and propelled them to a 93 win season and back into the playoffs after just missing in 2023.
So you would have Ok’ed the trade of schlittler rice and riggio for sandy alcantara at the last deadline right?
Rice isn’t a prospect. Schlittler had already established himself on the major league roster. But if you want an actual top prospect trade that Cashman shot down, how about Pittsburgh wanting Andujar and Frazier for Cole.
Joe, how many years do you want to go back? Every GM who lasts will have hits as well as misses.
Dewey that was just the first one I thought of. As a Yankee fan since the early 70s I think I have a pretty good handle on their tendencies. And Cashman’s tendency is to hug his top prospects. Most of his trades will involve lower level guys and players on the major league roster. He certainly isn’t a bad GM though I think it’s time for a new voice.
The year will be 2037 and 39 year old top prospect Spencer Jones will be pushing for his MLB debut
No. As OF depth is thin. Wait… Giancarlo is an outfielder. Yeah trade him to Philly.
2 more years of Stanton (with Miami paying $10 million of that in 2026 and 2027). There is an option in 2028 but with Judge getting older and destined for DH Yankees management would need to be drug tested if Stanton’s option for that year was picked up.
Yankees get $30 million from Marlins for last 3 yrs which includes his $10 million option for 2028 that will be most definitely be declined! Stanton will miss 50-60 games in 2026, 2027 strike will wipe out at least 1/2 season so Stanton days as a Yankee soon coming to an end that he will be 20-25 HRs shy of 500 that will be done with another team.
I can’t tell if you want Stanton’s career demise or a baseball work stoppage more.
Obviously I don’t think it would get done for Singer but I’d love to see Dominguez in Cincy really think a change of scenery would unlock a lot of his potential
He’s had 528 career PAs thus far and needs more.
Yankees can’t develop talent Judge is the exception not the rule Volpe was supposed to be better than Witt, Elly and Gunnar according to every Yankees fan and yet as soon as he got to the bigs Yanks ruined his development. Your organization effectively has wasted Spencer Jones he’s going to be a 25 year old in Triple A come opening day. Not even to mention the lost generation of Gleybar, Frazier and Andujar
Jone imo will be traded for very same reason he will be rather old for a rookie at age 25-26 permitting there is a season in 2027. Jones could be staring at 27 yrs old debut in 2028.
@Anthony
We’re not talking about investing in his rookie card. All that matters is what he did during the 6 years of control? Judge didn’t have his first full season until he was about 25/26.
Jones went to college (as did Judge) so he started his pro career late (mid season ‘22). He has actually made good annual progress. It just started at age 22, not 18.
Well, the Reds are obviously not going to give up any other starter for him.
Other than Hunter Greene what starter would the Yankees really want? So no real worries there.
Death taxes and Yankees fans having dumb takes you would gladly trade him for any of Burns, Lodolo and even Lowder at this point not that the reds would do it either considering Dominguez development has staled badly
Beyond Cole or fried both old what starters are better than any of the reds
@cr4
Stalled badly after 1 session where he posted a +.700 OPS??
With good health I think Gil and Schlittler could be just as good as any of them.
But the Yanks aren’t trying to swap pitchers.If anything they want to add to them even tho I’m good with the 7 we have
Dominguez is still 22 years old. He’s far from being fully developed yet.
There was a trade offer posed by NY media today for Lodolo, including Jasson, Lagrange plus one or two (depending on value). Thoughts?
Lodolo is really good but injury prone, but i guess aren’t most pitchers these days? I reallly like lagrange tho
Yeah Lagrange isn’t going anywhere, unless it’s in a package for Skubal. I like him a lot also.
Unless the package for skubal also includes judge you’re a ways off
Calm down now, you’re buggin’ 👍🏿
Sal id probably be fine with that although I doubt the Yankees would do it. I do agree with some that the Martian is a perfect change of scenery player and I know Lagrange is valued highly amongst Yankees fans.
@Judgey As much as I say Donovan is overrated, he is, he’s still a solid MLB player, which Jasson is not yet and may never be and Jones isn’t, well, anything yet. Donavan could be very useful as a utility player who can be deployed in the IF and OF. I’d trade either if it’s 1v1. Both would be an excellent trade. Otherwise I wouldn’t trade either plus more for him.
And tbh, I don’t care if either stars anywhere else, honestly let them! It just makes the system look that much better.
Lagrange is a talent i rather hold on too pan out or flame out
Dominguez, a #76 prospect in AA, and 2 others for a 4.9 WAR, 3.33 ERA starter with 2 years of team control? I don’t think the Reds would do that.
Linked to wrong Spencer jones
This is the correct link:
baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jon…
Jones isn’t even a top 100 prospect.
Send Spencer Jones back home.
Keep Jones in AAA till next year. Extend his window of control. Then Dominguez is your 4th OF.
when yankees fans want to manipulate service time, you know cashman has them in loops
I am not a Yankee fan. Unless you trade either for someone that will provide more value to the team, or either one of them shows they can outplay a veteran, then keeping them in the minors is the best move for the team. I don’t honestly know if stashing Jones will extend his service time but if it will that is probably what will happen.
I hear ya, but using a 22 year-old as your 4th of’er is no way to properly develop a young player who needs regular ABs, as YBC indicated. As the year goes on guys will get hurt unfortunately, that’s very likely. So this may take care of itself. But if that doesn’t happen you need to seriously consider moving him.
@remember
trading him just to trade him didn’t sound like a good idea. any injury to Rice, Wells, Stanton or any OF easily open up a path to more at bats.
I can’t tell you how much I disagree with you here coop. Belli can play some lst base, so Dominguez can play left field with Grisham out there in center field. So Dominguez can get plenty at bats.
We aren’t ure disagreeing actually, Captain. I said they should consider moving him if playing time doesn’t materialize. But if youre right, then fine. I was saying that a typical 4th of’er is no way to develop a young player. The situation you’re describing is not a typical 4th – that would be more of an everyday player. Look, he needs regular ABs is all I’m saying. How he gets it doesn’t really matter to me.
No. They are going to need Dominguez and Jones for the long-term. Grisham is gone after this year. Bellinger can opt out after year 2 of his contract. Stanton only has 2 more years on his contract. When he’s gone, Judge will start transitioning to more of a DH than an everyday OF. So, they are going to need some young, affordable OFs to backfill these vacancies.
I still feel a Tanner Bibee for Jasson Dominguez trade makes a ton of sense for both organizations.
It would have to be Dominguez + ( … ) in order to get Bibee from CLE. Man is on a super team friendly contract through 2030 and is good for 3 WAR annually. That won’t be a cheap acquisition for anybody.
Definitely. Bibee is worth Jasson and two top 20 NY prospects for sure.
Yes! I meant that as the basis of the trade. Obviously a little more would have to go to Cleveland but I think it’s a really good starting point. As a Guardians fan, I am frustrated with the lack of offense behind the top 3 hitters. I’d like to see them make a trade like I proposed and sign Ozuna to DH, making Manzardo primary first baseman and go from there.
Bazzana, DeLauter, and Ingle should all get good looks this year. That’s a damn nice trio of young LHBs to hopefully give your offense some juice.
I don’t have any faith in a.) the organization to develop hitters, b.) DeLauter’s ability to stay healthy, c.) Bazzana being ready this season. He’s gotten on base at an ok clip but only hitting .243 throughout the minors doesn’t excite me. We are also already so left handed heavy.
A Bibee for Dominquez trade makes absolutely no sense for the Cleveland Guardians.
Why do you feel that way? Domínguez came up primarily as a CF, he’s a switch hitter that can provide some balance to a left-handed dominant lineup and provide some protection for Jose. We have been able to develop pitchers but the hitters we’ve “developed” have mostly washed out in recent years. Dominguez projects to be an upgrade over Schneeman and Martinez in center. Lane Thomas is now with the Royals. Then you can shift DeLauter to RF which may be less taxing on his lower half since that’s where he’s chronically been getting injured. Our rotation would still be Williams, Cecconi, Messick, Allen, Cantillo.
Very easy, TwinDaddy. Dominquez to date has been bad defensively in LF. What makes you think that he could play center which is the more difficult position? Secondly, he has not hit left handed pitching at all in his major league career.. So the two main things that we would need him to do, he has done very poorly at.
Nah the former Indians can keep Tanner Bibee, but thanks!
Very surprised more said opening day than the deadline.
I disagree with the idea that the Yanks NEED or SHOULD trade one or both of Dominguez or Jones. Since when is depth a bad thing? We are a team with championship hopes. How do you responsibly build a lineup devoid of contingency plans? Having the players we have is a gift, not a curse. All it takes is 1 or 2 injuries to put the guys into play. Any injury to Belli, Judge, Grisham, Rice, Wells or Stanton could easily cause players to switch positions. How dumb would Cashman look for the team to incur an injury which forces him to look to the trade market for replacements? Also, what if Grisham regressed to pre-2025 form? What if he has a great year but walks in his FA year or becomes too expensive for his post-30 years? Stanton is 2 years away from being off the books and the Yanks are only responsible for paying him $19 of his $29 mil due this year, $15 mil of his $25 mil in 2027 and nothing at all towards his $10 mil buyout if they don’t want him in 2028 ($15 mil if they want him back). What if he’s so bad in 2026 that the Yanks choose to just release him after 2026 and just eat the $15 mil instead? That idea becomes more digestible if they can replace him with a cost controlled player like Dominguez or Jones. Dominguez only turns 23 in Feb and Jones 25 in May. There is no need to rush them. In the case of Jones, he should be invited to big league camp, regardless of his performance, notified he’s going to start the year in AAA. Instruct him to work on his strikeout rate and make him FORCE himself to be called up because he’s killing it in AAA. This accomplishes two things. Gives him time to address his issues and gives us a chance to increase his perceived trade value. There’s much less of a risk of him flaming out in AAA than struggling in the bigs and then having to be demoted because he’s struggling while the Yanks are trying to make the playoffs. Keep a cool booty. Unless a REAL LEGIT IMPACT TRADE PIECE hits the market and they value either as a main component and not a “throw in” then keep them and see how it plays out. We thought we had an abundance of pitching going into the spring training and before the season started we traded away Cortez, placed Cole, Gil and Schmidt on the DL, had to put a player like Stroman in the mix and call up Will Warren and later Cam Schlittler to make major contributions last year. Let’s not repeat those mistakes.
The looming strike going to at least wipe out 1/3 of season so the Stanton case here is he will be owed much less and Yankees could just release him only paying him approx $10 million or less.
There won’t be a strike. Can’t be unless the players agree to start the 2027 season without a new CBA. There might be a lockout by the owners and even that is questionable because it cost them so much last time without costing the players anything. Learn the terms and what they mean,.
TL;DR
Paragraphs. Paragraphs.
No one read that.
I voted that the Yankees will hold on to both of their young outfielders through the end of 2026.
I can envision a trade with the White Sox down the road. Their greatest depth is in middle infielders, many of whom are on their active roster or could be within the next two years. The ChiSox also have some catching depth that may interest the Yankees. The White Sox least amount of organizational depth is in the outfield.
Trade Judge he’s not that good.🙃
I see Judge as a guy who wants to play defense over his entire career, uber competitive and an elite athlete, I can’t see him accepting a role at DH.
I can see him at first base. Phillies moved Harper to first base after his UCL.
Unsure why the Yanks would trade from their OF group. They dont have any significant OF prospects on the farm outside of Jones and with Grisham on a one year deal, Stanton expiring at the end of ’27, both Dominguez and Jones are slated for plenty of playing time.
Stanton or Judge. Who do you want at DH and in the OF? Both can’t be at DH in the same game.
This Cardinals fan would accept Jones for Donovan.
This makes too much sense.
I don’t love Donovan like others do, but I’d do this 1v1 in a heartbeat.
Donovan for Dominguez. Who says no?
@lemay @daryl
Yanks should say no. We have Jazz at 2d, Belli/Grisham in LF and although Donovan would be an upgrade over McMahon, we agree paying this guy 2/$32 mil. And honestly, Donovan IS a better overall hitter but like McMahon he’s a lefty who can’t hit lefties (career OPS in the .600s vs lefties). He’s not a good fit unless the Card take him back in a large deal.
Donovan is an established player, good both offensively, and defensively. I wouldn’t want a bat only player back.
@stymee
I’m not suggesting you should. I’m stating that while we could use a good contact hitter there really isn’t a place for him unless they think he can play 3b AND the Cardinals at willing to take back McMahon in a larger deal.
I don’t think either should say no
The Cards probably only becausethere’sbeen a taste of Jasson at the MLB level, but I could see, as Daryl said above, Jones for Donovan. I think that would work better as Jones’ power is intriguing.
@Sal- this would be the worst case scenario. Trust me there’s no need for Donovan at all. Dominguez or Jones are most likely to pan out in NY. Let’s just hope if we move one, they don’t star for someone else. Basically the Yankees must keep the right player. 🙏
White Sox would gladly take Spencer Jones off your hands.
I’m thinking the White Sox would prefer the 5-tool potential of Jasson Dominguez over the 3-outcome approach of Spencer Jones. 🙂
Perhaps. You could throw him in center right away. Throws up even more question marks about Acuña in that situation.
Would the Nats trade their SS for either?
Pass on Abrams.he is a horrible fielder
There’s a bidding war for a light-hitting utility player?
Mistake was giving Grisham a QO. Everything after that adversely effected by that. Old OF, all with injury concerns. Judge, the best no doubt. Bellinger, a corner OF at best with a no-trade clause and opt-outs, zero leverage for NYY to do anything, overpay for Bellinger and no hope to rid yourself of Bellinger unless he opts-out. Stanton is a boat anchor at DH. Ever going to win anything, have to have a core group of younger players that perform and improve together to a higher level. Never going to happen in NYY with long-term contracts for aging players.
Get over it – it’s a one-year deal for someone who certainly earned it last season. But please rant on…
I read his first line and kept moving on.
@sal
I couldn’t help myself. 😌
@baseball
Ppl just say anything these days.
A) Grisham was worth 3.2 WAR last year. He was worth the risk of a QO.
B) The Yanks OF ranked 1st in WAR among all teams by a margin of +7 WAR. The idea that running it back is wrong is wildly crazy.
C) Why would the Yanks want to put themselves in position to replace 60 homers this winter , even if I would be OK with letting Dominguez start in 2026.
D) You say it’s an old OF yet Grisham is only 28, Belli 30 and Judge 33 and still highly productive. Dominguez is the baby of the bunch at 23 and Jones is waiting at AAA and only turns 25 this summer.
E) Bellinger is more than a “corner OF at best”. He played at least 41+ games at all 3 positions plus he can play 1B. He graded a +5 overall.
F) Of the 9 position players only Stanton and Judge are 31+. Our starting 1B, 2B, SS, C and two OF are 28 or younger. The only guys on contracts of 5+ years are Bellinger (5), Judge (6) and Freid (7). This idea that we’re bogged down with old players on long term deals is completely inaccurate. Cole, Rondon, McMahon and Stanton will be of the books in 2 to 3 years with slightly more than +$100 million coming off the books between 2027 and 2028.
Knicks, you know we can all look up those stats, right?
Yankees – 34.3 fWAR, 32.0 bWAR
Blue Jays – 32.3 fWAR, 30.8 bWAR
That is not 7 WAR Not even close. Just look up the stats instead of making stuff up.
Of the 9 starting hitters, 4 will be playing in their age 31 season or older. Judge, Bellinger, Stanton, and McMahon. Judge, Bellinger and Stanton are on deals of 5+ years. If you are talking about how many years they have left on their deals, that is a different subject. Bellinger is 2 years in all reality because that is when he will opt out with $85 million in his pocket.
Grisham hit 34 bombs last season. Had a +.113 differential on BA and OBP. A low .BABIP likely contributed to his low average but he clearly can take a walk — this guy has a pair of gold gloves too.
A 1 yr / 22M dollar deal is criminal in this market.
Jones is a gamble with the K%. His value could drop if his K% gets into the 40-45 range. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to get something valuable for him while they can.
That has White Sox all over it.
The White Sox have already taken an expensive (for them!) gamble on 1B Munetaka Murakami and his 3-outcome profile. Adding another similar lefty bat with Spencer Jones might make them too “fan” friendly.
Not for them. Jerry loves strikeouts. More strikeouts equals more loses equals less spending equals more pocket money.
Again, another Deeds poll that has nothing to do with the headline.
Poll: Will The Yankees Trade From Their Outfield?
is not
Will the Yankees trade Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones?
Those two are not the only OF on the Yankees.
You get paid for this. It may be time for some journalism classes. Coursera has them available for cheap.
You clicked, read, and replied. Mission accomplished by Mr. Deeds!
YBC
Maybe this site should strive for more
Like informing and educating their readers.
But the low-hanging fruit is always the easiest to pick
I came to see the comments because it was about the Yankees. That is always enlightening or entertaining. You are one of the few Yankees fans that are actually both knowledgeable and sane.
Clickbait is never mission accomplished because they make no money from me, not even from ads, and Deeds is one of the reasons I refuse to spend any money. If I am going to pay or be the thing being sold, I want articles that are not clickbait. It wasn’t his poll that got me here, it was the subject of Yankees.
“It may be time for some journalism classes”
A high school English class would also address this.
@Skip — you are picking daisies in RF on this one.
Im not sure the Yankees are in a position to be trading from an area of need. They need to move an arm
@Carlos
crazy you said that when the rotation IS an area of need too.
I disagree
Jason Dominguez is an average player at best. Yankees farm system is depleted. Other than hype their farm is weak.
Sure… the arms they have sure suck
There’s been a lot of chatter about this in NY media and podcasts in the last few days. Lots of trade proposals out there, but one of my favorites so far comes from Talking Yanks today (I think) with Jasson and more going to the Phillies for Bohm and Kerkering. I can’t find exactly where it was to recall the full package idea, but my add on would be, say we took Castellanos back to be a fourth OF I think we could make interesting swap partners and possibly lessen the pieces after Jasson. Though since the Phillies need SP, I wonder if Gil would work here.
I like it because Bohm slots in to spell both McMahon and Rice perfectly and is good insurance if/when one slumps. Obviously we need BP help, too.
Jones I think stays in Triple A, moves to CF and we see how he does. I’m honestly more intrigued by him than Jasson at this point even though Dominguez could end up being better. Grisham is leaving after this year, and maybe as soon as the deadline so for sure we aren’t trading both guys.
Anyhoo that’s what I got. Bohm, Kerkering, and Castellanos for Jasson, Gil, and a prospect. Thoughts?
Bohm and Casty wont be happy on the bench, both have been starters getting everyday at-bats and that could fester some in the clubhouse.
I dont know why the Phillies would trade a bullpen arm like Kerkering. Phillies will be looking for bullpen arms mid season.
“It’s not the same roster. We have players returning from IL. We added weapons at the deadline. We have young pups that have earned the right to climb up the ladder. We have big arms that we acquired one from Colorado one from the Marlins.” – Brian Cashman
Cashman basically said that other than minor tweaks, they are running it back as it stands.
Neither will be traded because most teams have plenty of the same profile players as these two so why trade for them . Sometimes I wonder if the front office planted this poll lol
DOMINGUEZ is going to be a very good ball player he just needs regular reps which will not come this year with the Yankees unless there is a injury. For that reason if there is a solid pitcher with term available i would trade him. This does not mean DOMINGUEZ for skubal. But if they could pry a Mitch Keller, Tony santillan, Lucas erceg type for Dominguez and a prospect in would do it.
The yankees will need Dominguez to be a solid defensive 4th outfielder and he is not that. Spencer Jones will be better defensively this year. Once all of the injuries are done with and cole and rodon are back the starting 5 is set. 6th man is set and the bullpen should have a few long relievers available they will need a 9th inning guy to pair with oval maybe weathers becomes that guy but the bullpen can be elite if they add 1 shut down reliever
@mac
Not including Cole, Rondon or Schmidt the Yanks have 5 SP right now. Freid, Gil, Warren, Weathers and Schlittler.
@ knicks You forgot ryan yarborough and rookie elmer Rodriguez who is on the doorstep. Technically chase hampton and cade winquest are starters as well but they would be in the pen if they make the trip north. So to start the season there are 7 starters for options. And when cole and rodon come back my guess is a bullpen piece is demoted or dfa or released and weathers becomes a 7th inning guy
You don’t know when the injuries comes,
I wll keep them all, and trade an utility player for a bullpen.
Injuries happen, especially to the older players. They should keep both for depth.
Why can’t Stanton or Grisham be included in the poll? I’d trade Grisham that QO was a horrible choice
Grisham cannot be traded until June 15. That’s the rule for players who accept the QO.
Stanton is probably untradeable due to his salary and injury history.
Also doesn’t Stanton still have his ntc so even if you found a taker for Stanton he could just say no and stay where he is at.
@mlbnyyfan- relax and no worries. Grishy most likely is just here for only one more season anyway. Hopefully he has a great year in 2026. We’ll see.
Kind of hope they trade at least one of them so they can get their chance instead of riding the bench or the shuttle between MLB and AAA. Yankees suck when it comes to bringing along their home grown talent and usually don’t play the kids enough while holding on to them too long.
@Mattingly
You mean like Rice, Wells, Volpe, Gil, Warren, Schmidt, and Dominguez??
I can’t believe I have to defend Cashman on this one. The Steinbrenner kids are NOT the old man. The Old Man would have been in a bidding war with all the big guys that signed with the Dodgers. Cashman is being hamstrung. He can’t buy his way out of mistakes anymore because the kids are working with a budget. He can’t trade Dominquez or Jones unless he is getting back something he needs that has a similar controllable contract.
@Goose
Please stop trying to compare the dynamics of the 80s to today’s market involving two teams that are owned by guys worth 4 to 7 times what the Steinbrenner are worth that also own multi-billionaire investment firms. It’s like trying to compare locomotives to a bullet train. Yanks can’t and shouldn’t do what the Dodgers and Mets do. Google Guggenheim Partners and 72Point and you’ll know what i mean
How does Jasson Dominguez for Chase Burns (CIN) sound?
How about Jasson Dominguez for Noah Cameron (KC)?
It sounds absolutely terrible for the Reds and there is no chance they would even entertain that as a trade.
No definitely not happening. No worries.
Spencer Jones is like 52 years old with a few divorces under his belt already can we stop calling him a prospect?
he’s 24 and drafted in 2022 out of college.
I feel like you were in a Subaru going 15 MPH under the speed limit that last couple days. You realize I was being sarcastic right?
Point is Spencer Jones is only a prospect in the Yankees universe. Nobody else looks at him like that. Volpe is a month younger than him and is going into his 4th MLB season for comparison sake.
FGDC projections
Player wOBA fWAR/PA
Judge .417 7.6/672
Bellinger .332 3.3/637
Grishom.326 2.8/560
Stanton .327 0.9/469
Dominguez .319 0.6/210
Jones .303 0.0/21
Now do the calculations for the MOE on FGDC projections.
And so what happens after that bozo Trent is a free agent again and we got rid of our young stars ?
I am ready to give up on the Yankees and baseball.
I gave up on all other sports many years ago.
Pro sports disgusts me.
Maybe trade for Kwan. I see them moving 1 not both
I don’t want kwan
I want Spencer and Jasson
There was talk on X of people proposing a Dominquez or Jones trade for Steven Kwan. Before discussing the Yankee outfielders, it needs to be stated that Kwan holds more value than either Yankee outfielder so a one for one trade would not ever happen.
Pros and Cons of each Yankee outfielder from the Guardian viewpoint. For Jasson Dominquez: Pros – Age. 2026 will be Doninquez’s age 23 season so room to grow and develop. Cons – Defense has been atrocious. He also has yet to hit Lefty pitching in the MLB. If he can’t hit lefties, he will be nothing more than a platoon player.
Specer Jones – Prtos – Power bat, good defender. Con – Age – 2026 will be his age 25 season which is getting old for a prospect. Con – MLB Pipeline grades him with a 40-hit tool which is very concerning. His biggest Con is his huge strikeout rate.
As a Guardian fan, I have little interest in either Yankee outfielder, I feel both are overrated as Yankee prospects often have been. I will keep Kwan.
It’s highly unlikely that Cleveland would only accept one or the other in a trade for Kwan….there would have to be at least one other “sweetener” in the trade…a lower level, most probably pitching prospect.
Also, please remember that The Martian is playing out of position in LF….he’s a CF’er by trade and LF in the Bronx isn’t the easiest LF to play in the majors so let’s not be too harsh on his fielding….yes , he does have problems hitting from the left handed side so maybe he gives up switch hitting and concentrates given his young age on hitting righty…..
As far as Jones, you really don’t know anything beyond huge HR power…;.his strikeouts shouldn’t scare anyone in a league where “superstars” K once every 4 at bats and 177-200+ K’s per season is the norm….his upside should be worth it and lastly given the logjam in the Yankee outfield is the reason for his age 25 and not yet in the majors….with Grish set to leave in 27, he might be the answer in CF….time will tell but Kwan is a very, very good outfielder and would fit the Yankees nicely……not a lot of power but great contact hitter…..
@hockeyjohn- Judge for Kwan? Hope all is well.
@captain
why do you get upset as if Cashman is the one writing this post?
@Knicks- not upset at all. Just not trading top prospects for a rental? You really want to do that? Lmk
Kris Bubic for Aaron Judge. Sounds like a deal. 👑
Kc cant take on that contract
As a Dodgers fan, I hate to see a team having to deal with the harsh reality of too many outfielders.
Maybe the Dodgers can find an infielder they can trade you to take Bellinger off your hands and clear up some playing time in your outfield. You’d have to pay down some of his salary though.
This team is going nowhere. Cashman should have been shown the door years ago.
Do you believe in miracles
Yankees are going to keep Jones in AAA for so long that he’ll turn into Clint Frazier
l’m sure they’re pretty close to letting Dominguez go for his lack of performance or his slow blossoming if any.
I hope not, Dominguez should get more chances, he’s still so young.
Maybe, but i’m not sure it’s wise. Judge, Stanton and Bellinger definitely have an injury history. Judge has to be managed carefully, with breaks., regardless. Grisham is on a one-year deal, and the rest need to be proven. I’d find out what I had in prospects before making a move.
Singer and McLain (a natural SS and big city guy) for Dominguez…
Lombard and Dominguez for Elly De La Cruz…
It’s just a matter of time before EDLC departs and might as well beat the Dodgers to him…
Oh, include Singer…
Yanks would be giving up at least one of Jones or Jasson (if not both) to get Singer by himself, much less Singer and EDC. Maybe throw in all 4+ Schlittler and you have a deal.
Team is soooooo mid
You’re being pessimistic
Royals need an outfielder and are strong in starting pitching and infielders. Make an offer!
Laughing
Jones, Schlittler, Dominguez, de la Cruz, and Lombard for Warming Bernabel? Who says no?
Yankees fans still can’t believe Pirates haven’t dealt Skenes for Spencer Jones yet.
Yes any fan in baseball is wondering.. more so a trade to LAD but still
Seems to me that there aren’t many players on the trade block worthy of a recent #1 (Yankees) prospect, so I expect him to get platooned playing time against pitchers he sees well – optimized to pump his value for a trade.
It seems pretty obvious to me that the intention was to keep Bellinger as a veteran mentor for Jones because their games are so similar. It seems like they’ve been trying to do that kind of thing when they’re ready to graduate a top prospect for a while now, if they can. They had Brian McCann when they brought up Sanchez, brought in Stanton right after they graduated Judge and he proved he wasn’t ONLY a strikeout machine in 2016. When they were about to graduate Dominguez, they brought in Soto.. Dominguez was given his shot, and didn’t pan out as hoped, which I kinda figured would happen back when he developed somewhat stocky and lost any real shot at CF long-term. It’s not surprising Cashman held out as long as he did, (the ballad of Gary Sanchez ended relatively recently, and he was a top-of-his-class, expensive, international signing too), at least for the guys that the recently fired international scouting director brought into the organization on the high end of the signing bonus scale.
The trade will happen whenever they can score a decent rotation option, no matter when it is, unless some other desperate need arises first.
jasson has been disappointing at the plate (helpless batting rightie, less power than expected) but the yankees haven’t made it easy for him (inconsistent at-bats/lineup placement). i would bat him leadoff every day to start the season and see what happens
no way they’re moving jones. in the unlikely event he keeps improving his k-rate he could be a monster
Dominguez and Jones are likely future stars and need to be untouchable for a team like new york..
“Meanwhile” should START the sentence, not come in the middle between commas.