It's Not Your Fault, Jasson. The Yankees Wasted You!

I’m starting to feel like Jasson Dominguez is about to become the Yankees’ designated “Oops.” The kid spent so long marinating in the minors you’d think they were trying to age him like a steak. And when he finally arrived? Meh. Not bad, not great—just sort of… there. Then came the big revelation: apparently he can’t actually play the outfield. Shocking, right? A guy marketed as the next great Yankee outfielder… can’t really field.

Now, if Dominguez had been truly developing down there, and if the Yankees had an actual player-development plan instead of whatever that binder of buzzwords is they keep on Boone’s desk, they would have noticed his defensive issues long before 2025’s left-field disaster tour. But no—the Yankees saw a kid who could hit, and decided to spend three years teaching him how to hit. Brilliant. It’s like enrolling a math prodigy in three straight years of Arithmetic 101.

And let’s be clear: this is my opinion and none of this is Jasson’s fault. The blame falls squarely on the Yankees front office—yes, Cashman, the scouts, the analytics hive, and Boone, all sitting around basking in the glow of the interlocking NY like it’s some kind of achievement in itself. They’re in love with being Yankees, not with doing the work it takes to win as the Yankees.

So here we are: a once-electric prospect who was supposed to be a cornerstone is now a guy the organization basically wasted through neglect, tunnel vision, and the developmental philosophy of “Eh, good enough.” And honestly? I see Spencer Jones headed down the same path…but that rant will need its own day.

Dominguez is getting older right in front of us, and the Yankees—surprise—need talent again. Which is why I’d bet he’s quietly warming the trade block this winter. He’ll be 23 at the start of the 2026 season. That’s too young and too talented to rot on the roster as a glorified fourth outfielder. Someone out there will take a shot on his pedigree, tools, and the hope that their development staff can do what the Yankees didn’t bother to.

Of course, the Yankees may also find themselves boxed into a corner. If Bellinger and Tucker sign elsewhere, the left-field hole becomes an abyss. They might have no option but to keep Dominguez out of pure necessity, which I am fine with, but they need to teach him how to catch.

But if they can trade him and patch the many, many leaks on this roster? Honestly, moving Dominguez might be the smartest play they can make if they want any real shot at contending in 2026. I don’t want it to happen, but I truly feel like it’s going to happen and that’s on the development department of the New York Yankees. Another department that needs to be overhauled.