Aaron Boone sees Jasson Dominguez as a key piece for the Yankees’ future, emphasizing his potential to play “a significant role” in 2025. Dominguez’s development could be crucial, especially if the Yankees struggle to acquire external talent like Juan Soto. With a projected 2025 payroll of $245 million, adding Soto’s $45 million salary would push the team near the $301 million luxury tax threshold, making internal contributions even more important.
Internal Solutions Could Be Key
Given these constraints, the Yankees may need to rely heavily on internal options, and Dominguez is one of the brightest stars in their system. If he can solidify his role, he could solve several problems, starting with center field.
Last season, among 41 qualifying center fielders, Aaron Judge ranked 40th in outs above average. While his World Series Game 5 error was unfortunate, it underscored a broader concern: Judge’s declining defensive capabilities at age 32.
The Yankees initially acquired Harrison Bader in 2022 to keep Judge in right field, preserving his legs. Now, they hope Dominguez can step in as the starting center fielder, potentially allowing Judge to shift to left while Soto takes right.
Dominguez’s Defensive Potential
Dominguez, widely regarded as the organization’s top prospect, has been praised for his defensive skills. However, injuries and limited playing time have hindered his growth. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missing significant time, he played just 44 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before making his MLB debut in September 2024.
His initial defensive performance in the majors was shaky, with notable misplays in left field and center. Yet Boone remains optimistic:“I’m in the camp that believes he’s going to be a great player,” Boone said. “I love his style, I love his talent. … I fully expect him to be a key part of what we do next year — whether that’s in center or left remains to be seen.”
Limited Market Options
The center field market isn’t deep. Harrison Bader might be the top defensive option, but his light bat could make him expensive for what he offers. Other potential targets like Michael A. Taylor and Trent Grisham carry uncertainties, and Yankees prospect Spencer Jones isn’t MLB-ready.
This leaves Dominguez as the Yankees’ best bet for center field. His offensive potential was evident during his 2023 debut, where he hit four home runs in eight games before an injury sidelined him.
After returning late last season, Dominguez excelled in 18 Triple-A games, batting .347 with four homers and seven stolen bases. However, his MLB performance dipped as Alex Verdugo secured the left field job in October.
The Yankees hope a healthy, uninterrupted offseason will help Dominguez fulfill his immense potential.“I’m still really excited about Jasson’s future,” Boone said, underscoring the importance of his development to the team’s long-term success.
