The New York Yankees are slated to enter the season with nearly the exact same position player depth chart as last season, which means many of the same old questions are still unanswered.
Former Yankees No. 1 prospect Jasson Domínguez saw his role diminish as his first full season went along, but he still produced league-average offensive numbers. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was the top candidate to take over a starting outfield job if either Trent Grisham or Cody Bellinger departed in free agency.
However, not only did Grisham and Bellinger both return, but first baseman Paul Goldschmidt reportedly agreed to re-sign with the Yankees on Friday. New York also re-signed righty platoon infielder Amed Rosario, which means, barring injuries, New York is set to enter the season with almost the identical position player depth chart that they had in the playoffs.
On Friday, after Goldschmidt re-signed, Yankees insider Chris Kirschner projected that the battle for the Yankees’ last bench spot would come down to Domínguez and Oswaldo Cabrera, with the latter having an early edge because of his ability to fill in at shortstop.
“Both Domínguez and Cabrera are switch-hitters, and both hit better from the left side of the plate” wrote Kirschner. “Cabrera offers significantly more defensive versatility, as he can play almost anywhere on the field. With Anthony Volpe sidelined to begin the season, Cabrera is currently the backup shortstop to José Caballero.
“That alone could be enough to give him the nod to make the Opening Day roster. Domínguez, of course, has the higher ceiling between the two players, but his fit with how the roster is constructed is not clean.”
Kirschner was confident that Goldschmidt, Rosario, and backup catcher J.C. Escarra would have three of the four everyday bench spots. If Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, there would be virtually no designated hitter at-bats available to get Domínguez in alongside the three starting outfielders in Grisham, Bellinger, and Aaron Judge.
Injuries could change the equation at any moment. But Domínguez’s name will be one to watch in trade rumors as well, purely because his value will diminish the longer he’s not getting consistent playing time.
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