NL East Coaching Notes: Mattingly, Doolittle, Marlins
Coaching staffs are coming together around the league. The Nationals and Marlins have made recent additions, while the Phillies are close to bringing a former manager back to the division.
- Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters, including Lochlahn March of the Philadelphia Inquirer, that the team is looking to hire Don Mattingly as a bench coach. “It’s not official, but we have really focused on speaking with Don and trying to make that happen, and we’re hopeful that it will,” Dombrowski said. Mattingly has been a bench coach in Toronto for the past three seasons. It was reported shortly after the Blue Jays’ World Series loss that he wouldn’t be returning to the team. Mattingly previously spent seven seasons coaching in the NL East, as the Marlins manager from 2016 to 2022.
- Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni shared details on manager Blake Butera’s coaching staff with reporters, including Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. The list includes recent additions Corey Ray as first base coach and Grant Anders as bullpen catcher, but one of the more notable names is the lone holdover, Sean Doolittle. Washington is retaining the former closer as an assistant pitching coach. Doolittle came on board with the title of pitching strategist in 2024, shortly after his retirement as a player. The lefty saved 75 games for the Nats across five seasons.
- The Marlins are expected to hire Blake Butler as an infield coach, reports Isaac Azout of Fish On First. He’s taking over for Tyler Smarslok, who took a gig as field coordinator with the Nationals. Butler has been a minor league coach in Pittsburgh’s system since 2020. He’s managed Single-A Greensboro for the past two seasons.
Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images
Cooper Hummel To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama BayStars
Former Astros outfielder Cooper Hummel is expected to sign with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network. It’s a one-year deal with a club option for 2027. Hummel is now represented by GSI, per an Instagram post from the agency in late November. He appeared in 37 games between Baltimore and Houston last season.
The 30-year-old Hummel spent time with four different organizations in 2025, including two stints with the Astros. The club designated him for assignment in late March, and he joined the Yankees on a minor league deal. New York released Hummel in late May, and he latched on with the Orioles. He appeared in one game with the team, striking out in his only at-bat. Hummel was then DFAed and soon found himself back in Houston. He earned semi-regular at-bats with the Astros until he was designated for assignment yet again. Hummel closed the year at Triple-A in the Rays’ system.
Hummel hit just .170 with three home runs and a stolen base at the big-league level last year. He now has a 58 wRC+ across 119 career games. Hummel debuted with the Diamondbacks in 2022. He came to the organization from the Brewers in a trade headlined by Eduardo Escobar. Hummel slashed .176/.274/.307 in 201 plate appearances with Arizona, his most extensive MLB work to date. He also had brief stretches with Seattle in 2023 and Houston in 2024.
Strikeouts have been a consistent issue for Hummel. He posted a 29.5% strikeout rate between the Orioles and Astros last season. He’s at 31.2% for his big-league career. Hummel had better contact numbers in the minors and also showed a tremendous eye at the plate, but has struggled to reproduce those results at the highest level.
Hummel is the latest in a slew of signings for Yokohama. The club also signed infielder Dayan Viciedo and added reliever José Ruiz in recent weeks.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Shea, Imagn Images
Yankees Notes: Bellinger, Williams, Lineup
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to reporters on Sunday, offering updates on a few key free agents and discussing plans for the 2026 lineup. Free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger continues to be a popular topic of conversation, and Cashman reiterated that the team wants him back next season.
“Cody Bellinger would be a great fit for us,” Cashman said (h/t Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). “I think he’d be a great fit for anybody. I think he’s a very talented player that can play multiple positions at a high level, and hits lefties, hits righties. He’s a contact guy, and I think our environment was a great one for him.”
Bellinger has been linked to the Yankees all offseason. A report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested the club views fellow free agent Kyle Tucker as a backup plan if they can’t retain Bellinger. For what it’s worth, Cashman said Tucker hasn’t visited the Yankees’ complex in Tampa (relayed by Hoch). The former Cub recently stopped by the Blue Jays’ facility in Dunedin.
The 30-year-old Bellinger opted out of his contract in early November, hitting the open market after a strong first season in the Bronx. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases this past year. Bellinger had one year and $25MM remaining on his deal. Given the widespread interest in his services, he should land a much more lucrative pact.
Bringing back Bellinger might exacerbate a lineup configuration issue addressed by Cashman. The roster skews left-handed at the moment. “That is a problem,” Cashman said (h/t Greg Joyce of the New York Post). Cashman added that the team wouldn’t make a trade just to get a right-handed hitter if they aren’t better than the lefty currently in place.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are the only righties slated for regular at-bats next season. The club’s shortstop will likely also be a righty, with Jose Caballero handling the position until Anthony Volpe is available. After that, it’s a bunch of lefties, with a couple switch-hitters mixed in. The righty/lefty mix might be more of a pressing issue if New York struggled against lefties last season, but that wasn’t the case. The Yankees led the league in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching in 2025. They tied the Dodgers for the most home runs off southpaws.
If Cashman is set on rebalancing the lineup, a certain right-handed infield prospect comes to mind. George Lombard Jr., the team’s top prospect, seems to be on the verge of making an impact at the MLB level. Cashman threw cold water on the possibility of Lombard being involved right away, though. “He could play defense in the big leagues right now, but he’s still developing on the hitting side. Exciting, high ceiling talent. But I don’t think he’s ready yet.” (h/t to Hoch)
The stance is in line with Cashman’s previous comments on Lombard’s trajectory. The 2023 first-rounder hit just .215 at Double-A last year, though he was only in his age-20 season. Lombard torched High-A pitching earlier in the year, earning the bump to Somerset. His strikeout rate jumped considerably with the Patriots, exceeding 25% for the first time as a professional. Lombard did manage 24 steals, while chipping in eight home runs. He’s a good bet to repeat Double-A to open next season. A strong performance could force the Yankees’ hand, especially if the Caballero/Volpe combo falters.
While Bellinger might rejoin the team, another reunion fell flat, apparently without an attempt. Cashman said the Yankees never made an offer to free agent reliever Devin Williams (h/t to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic). Williams and his former team were said to have mutual interest in a return, but he ultimately went to the cross-town rival Mets on a three-year, $51MM deal.
Williams came to the Yankees in a December 2024 trade with the Brewers. He lost the closer role a month into the season and needed an injury to Luke Weaver to get back in the mix for saves. He pitched well for a couple of months, but the Yankees went out and acquired David Bednar at the trade deadline. Bednar took over as closer upon arrival, moving Williams to a setup role. The presence of Bednar and fellow trade deadline acquisition Camilo Doval could’ve hindered the Yankees in attracting Williams, who said it “depends on the scenario” regarding whether being the closer would impact his free agency decision. The Mets had an obvious opening with Edwin Diaz opting out and hitting free agency.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images
Braves Notes: Ozuna, Holmes, Bullpen
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos spoke to reporters today, including David O’Brien of The Athletic, covering a variety of topics. The head man in Atlanta offered details on the club’s plans at DH, along with some health updates on a couple of pitchers.
While Anthopoulos didn’t rule out bringing back Marcell Ozuna, he said the team prefers to leave DH open and split the role among multiple players. Ozuna has been Atlanta’s primary DH since the 2023 season. He’s made just two appearances in the field the past three years.
Ozuna lost his stranglehold on the position midway through last season, with the Braves looking to get both Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin in the lineup. The downturn in playing time, along with Ozuna’s pending free agency, led to frequent trade rumors in July. He ultimately remained with the team through the trade deadline. He socked five home runs in the first two weeks of August, but hit just one more the rest of the season.
The 35-year-old Ozuna has spent the last six seasons with the Braves. He led the National League in home runs and RBI in the shortened 2020 season. Ozuna struggled with injuries and poor performance over the next two campaigns. He bounced back to deliver some of the best results of his career in 2023 and 2024, totaling 79 home runs with 100+ RBI in each year.
Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, will be a fixture in the middle of the lineup next season. Murphy struggled to hit for average last year, but provided solid power numbers and strong defensive stats. He’ll likely earn the majority of the work behind the plate.
On the pitching side, Anthopoulos said Grant Holmes hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from a partial UCL tear and will be treated like a healthy pitcher this offseason. That update likely puts Holmes on track for the start of the 2026 season. The right-hander went down with right elbow inflammation in late July and was ominously placed directly on the 60-day IL. He went the rest-and-recovery route with the elbow injury and seems to have ducked surgery, given his progression thus far.
Holmes will be on the periphery of the starting rotation to open the season, but he’s likely the next man up if anyone goes down, which is exactly what happened last year. Spencer Strider hit the IL shortly before the season began, thrusting Holmes into a starting role. He came through with decent production at the back of the rotation, posting a 3.99 ERA over 22 appearances (21 starts). Holmes struck out more than a batter per inning, though his walk rate ballooned to 11%. Free passes hadn’t been much of an issue for Holmes, including in his swingman role in 2024, so perhaps the elbow injury played a role there.
Atlanta’s rotation will be headlined by Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Strider. Hurston Waldrep impressed late last season with a revamped arsenal, so he’ll likely retain a spot. Reynaldo Lopez missed nearly all of 2025 with a shoulder injury, though he should be back to begin next season. The Braves have given extra off days to their starters in recent seasons, particularly for Sale, so Holmes could find his way to starts even with everyone healthy.
The health update wasn’t as positive for Joe Jimenez. The reliever missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery in March. Anthopoulos said Jimenez recently had a “cleanup” procedure on the knee. Anthopoulos added that the club isn’t counting on Jimenez until he ramps up throwing and proves he’s healthy.
Atlanta acquired Jimenez in a December 2022 trade that sent Justyn-Henry Malloy and Jake Higginbotham to the Tigers. He was a crucial part of the late-inning mix in 2024, racking up 27 holds and three saves. Jimenez cleaned up the walk issues that plagued him at times in Detroit, while maintaining substantial strikeout numbers.
The Braves have already been active on the free agent reliever market, re-signing Raisel Iglesias and Joel Payamps. Jimenez’s troublesome knee could lead to another addition, specifically from the right side. The club’s other high-leverage arms, Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer, are both left-handed.
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Mariners, Pirates Linked To Ketel Marte
The list of teams connected to Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte continues to grow. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mariners and Pirates are among the teams interested in dealing for the three-time All-Star.
Heyman also linked the Red Sox, Rays, and Tigers to Marte, echoing this morning’s report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Those squads join the Phillies and Blue Jays, who reportedly inquired about Marte last month. John Gambadoro of 98.7 Arizona Sports noted in mid-November that at least seven teams had checked in on Marte’s availability, though he didn’t mention any by name. It’s unclear if this group comprises the seven teams Gambadoro was referencing, but we’ve now reached that number across the various reports.
With Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez heading into free agency, Seattle has some vacancies to fill in the infield. A reunion with either player is an option, and there are also a handful of internal candidates to fill those spots, though a deal for Marte would be a desirable route. The 32-year-old has been one of the most productive players at his position over the past decade. Marte finished fourth in NL MVP voting in 2019 and came in third in 2024. He’s won the Silver Slugger award in back-to-back seasons.
Marte slashed .283/.376/.517 this past season. He topped 25 home runs for the third straight year. Various injuries and absences led to Marte playing just 126 games, but he exceeded 550 plate appearances for the fourth consecutive year. Outside of recurring hamstring problems in 2021, Marte has been remarkably durable during his nine seasons in Arizona.
It would be quite the full-circle moment if Seattle were able to acquire Marte. The club signed him as an international free agent in 2011. He debuted with the Mariners in 2015, posting a 112 wRC+ over 57 games. He struggled in a bigger role the following season, while also missing time with a thumb sprain and mononucleosis. Seattle shipped Marte and Taijuan Walker to Arizona following the 2016 season in a blockbuster deal that brought back Jean Segura, Mitch Haniger, and Zac Curtis. Segura and Haniger had productive tenures with the Mariners, but didn’t reach anywhere near the heights that Marte has in Arizona.
Seattle already used one of their primary trade chips this offseason, sending Harry Ford to Washington for Jose A. Ferrer, but the organization has plenty more exciting prospects to include in a potential Marte deal. MLB.com ranked the Mariners’ farm system behind only the Twins and Dodgers in its 2025 midseason update.
Pittsburgh has also executed a notable trade this offseason, acquiring Jhostynxon Garcia and a pitching prospect for Johan Oviedo and a couple of minor leaguers. Garcia will join the outfield mix alongside fixtures Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, but the club could still use some additions in the infield.
The Pirates shuffled through a litany of players at second base this past season, with Nick Gonzales (359 plate appearances) and Adam Frazier (189 plate appearances) earning the most reps at the position. Frazier was shipped to Kansas City at the trade deadline, and Gonzales could slot in at shortstop next season. That leaves Nick Yorke and Tsung-Che Cheng as the current top candidates to handle the keystone in 2026. Recent waiver claim Marco Luciano could also factor into the infield calculus, though he strictly played outfield and DH last season.
Pittsburgh ranked 23rd in OPS at second base last year. The club didn’t have much success at the other positions either, finishing dead last in scoring. The Pirates have been bottom 10 in runs for seven straight seasons. They’ve been the lowest-scoring team three times in that span. Moving Oviedo for Garcia is a step toward addressing that weakness, but a Marte deal would obviously provide a massive jolt to the offense. Pittsburgh slotted in at ninth in the aforementioned farm system rankings on MLB.com. It would likely take significant prospect capital to pry Marte away from Arizona.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
Dodgers, Enrique Hernández Open To Reunion
The Dodgers have already retained one clubhouse favorite this offseason, re-signing infielder Miguel Rojas to a one-year deal. Utilityman Kiké Hernández could be next on the list. Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the two sides are interested in a reunion. Hernández is currently recovering from elbow surgery on his non-throwing arm.
Hernández has spent nine of his 12 big-league seasons with the Dodgers. He re-upped with the team on a one-year, $6.5MM deal this past offseason. Hernández has filled a versatile role across multiple stints in LA and has three World Series rings with the club (2020, 2024, 2025).
The 34-year-old is coming off one of his worst offensive seasons, though the elbow issue could’ve played a factor. Hernández hit just .203 across 93 games, while missing most of July and August with the injury. The veteran started every playoff game for the Dodgers, managing a .250 batting average, albeit with an elevated strikeout rate. Hernández accounted for LA’s only run in Game 5 of the World Series when he homered off of Trey Yesavage. He was also in left field for Andy Pages‘ season-saving catch in Game 7.
Hernández’s ability to handle several defensive positions is likely the main factor in a return to LA. The defending champs don’t have many major holes, but the roster has some soft spots that could be patched by Hernández. The Dodgers currently have Tommy Edman penciled in at center field, though he struggled with injuries and poor performance last season. Some combination of Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland will likely handle second base, but neither has much MLB experience. There’s room for Hernández to carve out a part-time gig again, even if it’s just as a platoon bat spelling Kim and Max Muncy.
RosterResource has LA’s payroll at $337MM for next season. While that’s a massive number, it’s a significant dropoff from last season’s mark, which neared $400MM. The potential commitment to Hernández would likely be similar to the pact he got last offseason. The Dodgers also have luxury tax fees to consider, but Hernández’s deal won’t make much of a dent.
Nationals Trade Jose Ferrer To Mariners For Harry Ford
The Nationals and Mariners lined up on a trade sending lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer to Seattle for rookie catcher Harry Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon. Both teams have announced the trade.
Seattle adds a flamethrower from the left side to complement Andres Munoz and Matt Brash in the backend of the bullpen. The price is somewhat steep, as Ford ranks 42nd in MLB.com’s top 100 prospect rankings. Lyon was taken in the 10th round of the 2025 draft. He made a handful of appearances at Single-A this past season.
Ferrer emerged as Washington’s closer after Kyle Finnegan was shipped to Detroit at the trade deadline. He picked up 11 saves over the final two months of the season. The 25-year-old’s 21.9% strikeout rate and mid-4.00s ERA don’t scream shutdown closer, but he had an excellent 2.85 SIERA and an elite 4.9% walk rate on the year. Ferrer put together a stretch of 14 straight scoreless appearances shortly after taking over as closer, though he did falter over his final few appearances.
Ferrer has made 142 appearances out of the Nationals’ bullpen since his debut in 2023. He has a career 4.36 ERA, but his xERA and xFIP are both below 3.50. While he hasn’t piled up strikeouts, Ferrer’s upper-90s sinker has helped him rank among the best relievers in ground ball rate. Ferrer is under team control through 2029. He won’t reach arbitration until the 2027 campaign.
Ford has been a top 5 prospect in Seattle’s system since getting taken in the first round of the 2021 draft. The 12th overall pick slotted in at fifth among the Mariners’ prospects in 2022, per MLB.com. He reached the top spot in 2023, and most recently slotted in at fourth. Ford has hit at every minor league stop, while also providing significant contributions as a base stealer.
The 22-year-old Ford slashed .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs and seven steals at Triple-A this past year. He struck out less than 20% of the time while posting a massive 16.2% walk rate. Ford briefly debuted with the big-league club, mostly operating as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement. He went 1-for-6 in eight appearances.
The 16 home runs with Tacoma were a career high for Ford, though the seven steals were a disappointing total after he swiped 35 bags at Double-A in 2024. Ford’s elite walk rate has allowed him to consistently put up huge on-base numbers. Outside of a .377 OBP in 2024, he’s been at or above .400 in each season of his minor league tenure. Ford’s power outlook is more gap-to-gap than over-the-fence, but his combination of speed and on-base skills gives him a unique offensive profile, particularly for a catcher.
With Cal Raleigh landing a six-year extension before the 2025 campaign, Ford was going to be blocked in Seattle for the foreseeable future. He’ll head to Washington to join a catching group that struggled with injuries and production last season. Recurring concussion issues limited Keibert Ruiz to 68 games in 2025. He briefly returned to the team in early July, then went right back on the IL and never made it back to the big-league squad. Riley Adams handled the majority of the reps behind the plate, along with brief cameos from Drew Millas and Jorge Alfaro. Washington’s backstops ranked 29th in OPS. Adams is back on a one-year split deal, while Alfaro is a free agent.
Lyon made four starts with Modesto this past year. The 21-year-old righty will head to Fredericksburg to continue honing his craft. Lyon is the son of former pitcher Brandon Lyon.
Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reported the Mariners were nearing a Ferrer deal. Robert Murray of FanSided reported that Ford was heading to Washington. Golden was first with Lyon’s inclusion. Photos courtesy of Imagn Images.
Rockies Outright Warming Bernabel
Infielder Warming Bernabel has been outrighted off the Rockies’ 40-man roster, the team announced. Bernabel has cleared outright waivers and elected free agency. Colorado’s 40-man is now at 37 players.
The 23-year-old Bernabel made his MLB debut in July. He got off to a torrid start, going 14-for-28 with three home runs in his first seven games. Bernabel cooled off significantly after that incredible first week, hitting just .189 with one homer the rest of the way. A concussion cost him a couple of weeks in September. He finished his first foray at the highest level with a 78 wRC+ over 40 games.
Colorado added Bernabel as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He showed a consistent ability to make contact and rack up hits in the lower levels of the minors before running into a roadblock at Double-A in 2023. Bernabel hit just .225 with Hartford, while striking out at a rate above 20% for the first time as a professional. He posted tepid results at the same level in 2024, but was bumped to Triple-A this past year and performed well. Bernabel hit .301 in 75 games with Albuquerque, earning a promotion to the big-league club.
Bernabel has played corner infield primarily, with the majority of his appearances in Colorado coming at first base. Bernabel has also spent time at DH, which might be a better long-term fit. Scouts graded him as a mediocre to poor fielder, and he recorded -2 Outs Above Average in his brief stint with the Rockies.
If Bernabel is going to find success at the highest level, he’ll need to find a way to impact the ball better. He posted an underwhelming 32.5% hard-hit rate and an 85.4 mph average exit velocity. Bernabel managed just three barrels on 114 batted balls. He did pull the ball at an elevated 42.1% rate, which could help his subpar batted ball metrics lead to modest power, but the home run binge to begin his MLB career seems to have been an aberration.
Kohei Arihara Considering MLB Return
Former Rangers right-hander Kohei Arihara is interested in returning to MLB, per a report from Yahoo Japan (h/t to Yakyu Cosmopolitan). Arihara is set to become a free agent on December 2. He’s been with the SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball for the past three seasons.
Arihara began his career in NPB, spending six seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. His solid work at Japan’s highest level earned him a two-year, $6.2MM deal with the Rangers in December 2020. Arihara pitched in parts of two seasons for Texas from 2021 to 2022. He struggled to a 6.64 ERA across 10 starts with the Rangers in his first season. The results were even worse the following year, when Arihara posted a 9.45 ERA over five appearances. He was designated for assignment in September 2022 and elected free agency at the end of the year.
The righty’s stateside debut was marred by a serious injury early in the season. The team discovered an aneurysm in Arihara’s shoulder, leading to surgery that sidelined him until September. Arihara was crushed for nine earned runs over 12 innings after coming back from the injury.
Arihara excelled in his return to NPB, putting together three productive seasons with the Hawks. He posted a pristine 2.31 ERA in 17 starts with the team in 2023. Arihara nearly matched that mark across a longer sample the following season, recording a 2.36 ERA over 26 starts on his way to 14 wins. He won another 14 games this past season, though his ERA did creep over 3.00.
The 33-year-old Arihara seems to be past the health issues that plagued his previous MLB stint, tossing at least 175 innings in back-to-back seasons. He’s certainly built some momentum toward a possible return to the big leagues. The Yahoo Japan report noted that the Yomiuri Giants are also interested in Arihara’s services.
Photo courtesy of Eric Canha, Imagn Images
Sorting Out The Yankees’ Outfield
The Yankees came up short against the Blue Jays in the ALDS, but the front office has already gotten to work retooling the team, specifically in the outfield. New York extended the qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, which he accepted. Cody Bellinger opted out of his contract, but the team is interested in bringing him back. The team has been linked to top free agent Kyle Tucker. With at most one spot available alongside Aaron Judge and Grisham, where does that leave Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones?
Dominguez delivered league-average results at the plate in his first full season of MLB action. He was widely regarded as New York’s top prospect before last season. Given his pedigree, Dominguez is likely overqualified as a fourth outfielder. Jones is probably due for a call-up after launching 35 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A last season, but adding him to the roster without a clear role could stunt his development.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com had the Yankees dealing Jones when he outlined one trade candidate for each team. Feinsand’s colleague Bryan Hoch mentioned Dominguez and Jones popping up in trade talks if the team secures one of Bellinger or Tucker. Let’s dig into those possibilities.
Trade Dominguez, Keep Jones
Dominguez debuted in 2023 and immediately made an impact, hitting four home runs in eight games. His season was cut short by a UCL injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery. Recovery from the procedure limited Dominguez to 76 games between the minors and majors in 2024. He was a regular for the Yankees this past season, patrolling left field for the majority of the year, while also spending time at DH. The results at the plate were … fine. Dominguez put up a 103 wRC+ as a 22-year-old, finishing with 10 home runs and 23 stolen bases.
The main concern with Dominguez was in the field. He recorded a miserable -10 Outs Above Average and -7 Defensive Runs Saved. Dominguez finished with a -9 Fielding Run Value, which ranked as the 16th-worst mark among all qualified fielders. New York was able to hide Dominguez at DH at times last season, but a healthy Giancarlo Stanton will make that difficult.
Even with the defensive shortcomings, Dominguez has shown enough at the plate to command a considerable return in a trade. He’d be the swing-for-the-fences move and could potentially bring back assets that could contribute on the big-league roster right away.
Trade Jones, Keep Dominguez
Jones has the type of profile that makes him both an enticing trade chip and a sell-high candidate. He was a first-rounder in 2022 and has piled up offensive production in every professional season. Jones reached Double-A by the end of 2023 and dominated the level when he repeated it in 2024. The big lefty mashed 17 home runs and stole 25 in 122 games with Somerset. Jones again found himself with the Patriots to begin this past season. He posted a silly 185 wRC+ to finally move to Triple-A, where he hit 19 home runs in 67 games.
While the minor league production is great, spending so much time at Double-A is a red flag, and it seems to be related to Jones’ contact challenges. He’s had at least a 28.2% strikeout rate at every stop since 2023. Jones struck out more than a third of the time in 2024. Even as he piled up home runs with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jones carried a bloated 36.6% strikeout rate.
Trading Jones would allow the Yankees to cash in on his massive power season and avoid rolling the dice that he’ll make enough contact to succeed as a big leaguer. Of course, inquiring teams would be aware of Jones’ main flaw, but perhaps his pedigree and recent performance would be enough to overlook the swing-and-miss in his game. The return in a trade would be appealing, though it might require taking on assets with their own question marks.
Keep Dominguez and Jones
It’s hard to envision this scenario if New York ends up landing Bellinger or Tucker, but those players will have plenty of suitors. The Yankees could focus on bullpen upgrades in the free agent market instead of making additions on the offensive side. Jones has only played outfield and DH in his minor league career, so there aren’t many ways to fit both players in the lineup. Having Jones repeat Triple-A as a 25-year-old could be considered an admission of his lack of MLB viability, so it probably makes sense to let him fail at the big-league level.
Platooning the switch-hitting Dominguez and the lefty-swinging Jones jumps out as a potential option, but the issue is the former’s struggles from the right side. Dominguez hit just .204 against lefties last season. He was much more productive as a left-handed hitter. Stanton has battled injuries for much of his career, so he probably isn’t equipped to handle everyday DH at-bats at this stage. The Yankees can find enough reps in left field and DH for both Dominguez and Jones, though neither would be a full-time player.
Even if New York keeps both players this offseason, they could still make a move during the year. Finding a trade partner once teams are dealing with injuries and underperformance should be an easier task.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images