The Bronx landing of Juan Soto is going to have a big impact on the future of Jasson Dominguez. A mega-deal for the star outfielder will throw a new lease of life to the Yankees’ rising star.
Contract discussions surrounding star outfielder Juan Soto are expected to gain momentum this offseason, with both New York teams reportedly positioned as frontrunners. Sources suggest that offers for Soto could start materializing soon.
But the Yankees’ outfield challenges extend beyond Soto’s potential landing spot. With no clear solution in center field, Dominguez’s readiness to fill the void is drawing attention. The Yankees currently lack a proven center fielder on their major league roster. Analysts point out that both Soto and Aaron Judge are better suited for the right field, leaving center field as a key area of need.
The offseason adds another layer of complexity. Outfielder Alex Verdugo, who anchored left field during the postseason, has entered free agency alongside Soto. While Trent Grisham will return after avoiding arbitration, concerns about his offensive consistency raise doubts about his role as an everyday starter.
Insiders suggest the Yankees may need to rely heavily on Dominguez unless they make multiple outfield acquisitions.
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Dominguez’s brief stint in the majors showed flashes of promise, with four home runs in his first eight games following a September 2023 call-up. However, his progress was interrupted by a UCL injury that required Tommy John surgery. Over 67 plate appearances, Dominguez posted a .617 OPS with 19 strikeouts, highlighting areas for improvement.
In Triple-A, Dominguez showed potential but missed two months with an oblique injury. According to an American League scout, concerns remain about his ability to sustain performance and stay healthy at the highest level.
Dominguez expected to play in Yankees’ centerfield
Jasson Dominguez’s late-season performances in left field raised questions among baseball analysts, as he appeared to struggle with positioning and comfort in the role. The competition for a postseason roster spot ultimately tipped in favor of Alex Verdugo, with insiders citing Manager Aaron Boone’s preference for Verdugo’s experience, despite his second-half offensive struggles.
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Dominguez, who turns 22 in February, saw limited postseason action, appearing only as a pinch-runner in three games. However, team sources suggest that Dominguez’s time with the Yankees during their World Series run provided invaluable exposure to the pressures of October baseball. How that experience will influence his 2025 campaign remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge’s role in the outfield could evolve as the Yankees weigh their options. Although Judge performed admirably in center field last season without showing offensive regression, his age—he turns 33 in April—raises concerns about the long-term physical demands of the position.
Speculation about potential trades for a center fielder continues to swirl, a move that could redefine the Yankees’ outfield alignment. If Juan Soto were to join the roster, the dynamics could shift further, as Judge’s best fit defensively remains a topic of debate.
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Acquiring Soto would likely come with substantial financial implications, potentially requiring the Yankees to explore more cost-effective solutions elsewhere in the lineup. Analysts see this as an opportunity for Dominguez, whose $5.1 million signing bonus in 2019 made him a marquee international acquisition.
As one of the organization’s most anticipated young talents, Dominguez could be poised to fill a crucial role if the Yankees opt to balance their roster investments by leaning on his development.
