The New York Yankees made an intriguing signing that could put Jasson Dominguez’s future in doubt.
The Yankees signed slugger Randal Grichuk to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training as he looks to make the roster. Grichuk is competing with Dominguez for the fourth outfielder role, but Dominguez will likely begin the year in Triple-A.
Following Grichuk’s signing, Yankees insider Brendan Kuty of The Athletic called Dominguez redundant.
“The Yankees will likely immediately give Grichuk work in left field and center field as they look for someone to occasionally split at-bats with center fielder Trent Grisham,” Kuty wrote. “Grisham hit 34 home runs last season, but he’s much better against righties. If the Yankees want to sit Grisham against a lefty, they could play Grichuk in left field and slide Cody Bellinger to center field.
“The move also gives more competition to Jasson Domínguez, a switch hitter who could be redundant on the Yankees’ roster as he’s much better versus righties than he is lefties. Domínguez was also a shaky defender last season in left field. The only position where the Yankees seem willing to trust him. Domínguez may be forced to start the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a year after losing his starting job in left field, and after years of being one of the game’s most-hyped prospects.”
If Grichuk beats out Dominguez, the Yankees could look to trade the former top prospect or start him in Triple-A. But, the former top prospect got some troubling news as camp has begun.
Yankees Believe Dominguez Needs Everyday Reps
Although Domiguez has shown flashes of being an impact MLB hitter, he likely will have to begin the season in the minors.
In the offseason, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made it clear that Dominguez needs to be playing every day.
“I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how the spring shakes out, who’s standing, and then we’ll make the appropriate decisions when we have our meetings close to the end of camp. … There’s flexibility in the roster with a lot of players that we can do a lot of different things with. Whether they’re going north with us or going to Triple A.”
Dominguez appeared in 123 games with the Yankees last season. He hit .257 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs last season with the Yankees.
New York Has Decisions to Make in the Outfield
The Yankees’ starting outfield is set with Cody Bellinger in left field, Trent Grisham in center, and Aaron Judge in right.
However, New York has Dominguez, Grichuk, and Spencer Jones competing for the final outfield spot.
It does appear that Grichuk has the upper hand, as he has experience being the fourth outfielder. Dominguez and Jones, playing every day in Triple-A, would likely benefit them.
“We have to play the spring out and see where it takes us,” Cashman said. “He’ll get his reps along with everybody else. And clearly, we’ll have to make some decisions at the end of camp. Sometimes those decisions get made for us when injuries occur. I guess we’ll wait and see how the spring plays out and do what’s best for us when it’s time to set the roster.”
The Yankees open their season on March 25 against the San Francisco Giants.
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