While Spring Training is in full swing at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, top outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez finds himself buried on the depth chart and potentially headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 22-year-old switch-hitter nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly ability made a sensational debut last year, hitting the Yankees’ first walk-off homer in three years. Yet, with the 2026 Spring Training season underway, a crowded outfield leaves Dominguez without a clear path to playing time. With Cody Bellinger’s re-signing with the Yankees, left field appears to be locked down. Trent Grisham signed a qualifying offer to play center field, and Aaron Judge is patrolling right field ... so what’s the Yankees’ decision to be? Send “The Martian” to Triple-A or trade him to improve the pitching staff before Opening Day?

Dominguez's Tools and Track Record

Dominguez is not a hype job; he backed up his 2025 MLB debut by showing the world he is here to stay. In 117 games, he hit .257, with a .331 OBP, 10 home runs, 46 RBI, and an impressive 21 stolen bases. He is projected to bat .259, with a .336 OBP, and hit 13 home runs, while stealing 18 bases, which indicates that the analytics have Dominguez as improving as time goes on. His elite speed, which sits at the 88th percentile, and ability to switch hit make him a force to be reckoned with. Dominguez possesses a 3.01 seconds home to first time, and a 96.8 mph throw from center field to home plate, which, according to Statcast, makes him a very efficient defensive player. Boone has praised the young slugger, saying that he views him as part of the long-term core alongside prospects like Spencer Jones.

Preseason trade rumors were floating, with projections of Cashman using him to acquire a starting pitcher or a right-handed hitting outfielder, especially with the Yankees’ rotation issues. However, he did not get traded, which speaks volumes for the organization’s faith in him. He is still a valuable trade piece, with a high ceiling as a controllable, five-tool player that many rebuilding teams want, but it might be regretful if he develops into an Aaron Judge-type player.

The Yankees’ rotation is also going to improve as players come off injuries. At their best, the rotation will consist of a mix of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Cam Schlittler, Ryan Weathers, Clark Schmidt, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. Looking at these names, it is very easy to infer that this rotation will not be one to take lightly, and quite frankly, is scary. Cole, Fried, Schlittler, Rodon, Gil, and Weathers is what I see the rotation looking like with it being 100% healthy, but my names are in no particular order. If the Yankees were to trade Dominguez, then they should consider looking at bullpen help. Especially coming off last season, a lot of the games were lost because of the bullpen, and for the most part, it’s the exact same.

Verdict: Bet on the Future

I'd keep Dominguez. Grisham's contract is a one-year bridge with no extension guarantees, and even with Jones's inevitable promotion to the big leagues, the Yankees need cheap outfield depth to go with an aging Judge, who's now 34 years old. Trading "The Martian" would give a foe a 25-homer, 30-steal potential superstar for nothing on arbitration years. Being patient with Dominguez will allow him to hone his craft at Triple-A, not on a major league roster, and then break out in 2027.

The bullpen still looks strong, and I have faith that they will show up and show out. If they don’t perform, then the Yankees may need to consider getting some help in the bullpen, and that would require making a trade, but would it be for Dominguez or someone else? The Yankees were a dynasty built on homegrown talent, and Dominguez is the epitome of that.