Yankees Predicted To Trade Talented Outfielder Before Spring Training

The New York Yankees’ re-signing of Cody Bellinger might have immediate consequences for the rest of the roster, leading to further moves.

In fact, ESPN’s Jeff Passan just predicted that the Yanks will trade young outfielder Jasson Dominguez in the coming days.

“The New York Yankees will trade Jasson Dominguez before the start of spring training,” Passan wrote on Friday. “Bellinger re-signing with New York was great news for just about everyone associated with the organization except for Dominguez. The former can’t-miss prospect was previously projected to start in left field for the Yankees. Now that job belongs to Bellinger, dislodging Dominguez from an every-day role.”

“The switch-hitting Dominguez’s speed and ability to hit left-handed against right-handed pitching could make him an asset off the bench,” Passan continued. “And he turns 23 in February. But he’s a poor defender — the Yankees clearly don’t believe he’s a big league center fielder and he struggled mightily in left last season — and he hasn’t proved he can hit right-handed in the majors. The Yankees could use him as part of a trade to bolster another area — perhaps pitching help or a right-handed-hitting catcher or outfielder. The Martian is talented, but he could land somewhere else very soon.”

Dominguez signed a $5.1 million bonus as a 16-year-old international free agent in 2019. His career took off with a memorable 2023 debut, where he slugged four home runs in just eight games before Tommy John surgery derailed him, causing him to miss nearly all of 2024. Over 149 career games, he has compiled a .248/.327/.397 slash line with 15 home runs and 27 stolen bases.

Dominguez’s 2025 campaign marked his first full MLB season, featuring in 123 games with 93 starts in left field. He hit .257/.331/.388, tallying 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, 58 runs, and 23 stolen bases while striking out at a 26.8 percent rate. He excelled against right-handers with a .768 OPS but faltered versus lefties at .569, and his defense ranked poorly with -10 Outs Above Average. Despite early peaks, including a three-homer game in May, his role diminished late in the year.