Cody Bellinger is again with the Yankees. So is Trent Grisham. So what does that imply for Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones?
On Wednesday, Aaron Boone stated that the return of the veteran outfielders adjustments the quick outlooks for the youthful ones. With Bellinger anticipated to primarily play left, Grisham manning middle and Aaron Decide cemented in proper, Domínguez, 22, and Jones, 24, at the moment undertaking as fourth outfielders at greatest at a degree once they’re nonetheless creating and will use common taking part in time.
After all, quite a bit can occur between now and the beginning of the season, and Boone isn’t one to get forward of himself.
“That maybe complicates some things for them,” Boone stated of Bellinger and Grisham’s impression on Domínguez and Jones, “however we additionally know what doubtlessly excellent gamers they’re going to be on this league, and we’ve got a very long time to go between now and, to start with, even the primary spring coaching sport, however actually Opening Day. You by no means know what’s going to return down the pike. So we’re lucky to have two actually gifted gamers.
“So you start predicting the future too early, and things change in a hurry.”
Earlier this offseason, Brian Cashman acknowledged that getting Grisham and Bellinger again might result in Domínguez and Jones being dangled in commerce talks. Whereas that would nonetheless occur, a number of beginning pitchers linked to the Yankees have since been dealt elsewhere.
With no apparent big-ticket alternate options to pursue on the commerce block, it’s actually attainable that the Yankees cling on to Domínguez, who adjusted to a bench position final season, and Jones, who has but to make his MLB debut.
Domínguez would have the within observe in terms of making the Opening Day roster in such a state of affairs, as he was anticipated to be the Yankees’ on a regular basis left fielder coming into 2025. Nevertheless, the switch-hitting Martian was a defensive legal responsibility in left and struggled from the fitting aspect of the plate earlier than he misplaced taking part in time. Enhancements in each regards would assist his case this spring, particularly with the Yankees standing to profit from the addition of a right-handed bench bat, although that would additionally come at catcher or first base.
Jones, in the meantime, is coming off a monstrous season cut up between Double-A and Triple-A. However there are nonetheless critical issues about how typically he swings and misses, particularly on pitches within the strike zone.
The middle fielder can also be a left-handed hitter.
Whereas Domínguez and Jones don’t have a transparent path to common taking part in time proper now, that would change with an harm. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is at all times a candidate for an IL stint, so it’s not laborious to see at-bats turning into obtainable for Domínguez or Jones, although that might make the Yankees’ lineup much more left-handed than it already is.
Boone additionally talked about Bellinger’s versatility whereas discussing Domínguez and Jones. Bellinger is able to taking part in all three outfield positions and first base, and he hits lefties properly regardless of being one himself. Whereas first baseman Ben Rice is anticipated to play extra in opposition to southpaws, Grisham, a fellow portside swinger, struggled in opposition to them final season.
These components might create some alternatives in left area for Domínguez or Jones, who might impression the Yankees properly past 2026 in the event that they stick round.
“We’ll see how everything plays out,” Boone stated. “The reality is we have a lot of really good players, and Jasson and Spencer are part of that.”
