A Bold Fix to the Yankees' Roster Logjam
A Bold Fix to the Yankees' Roster Logjam
By Ethan Weintraub | Mouselytics.com
May 30, 2025
Surprising Success and the Depth Dilemma
The New York Yankees, currently sitting at 35-20 and 6.5 games up in first place, appear to be
greatly exceeding expectations this season. A lot of question marks and concerns critics had for this
team have been answered in a strong way - and much of this success stems from several pleasant
surprises on the offensive side.
The Yankees currently hold the number one offense in Major League Baseball with a league-leading
+113 run differential and lead the MLB in every major offensive category. Yes, of course this is led
by superstar Aaron Judge, but his supporting cast has been everything the Yankees could have
hoped for.
This supporting cast has been the catalyst of the team, including 7 qualified position players with a wRC+ over 100 (including Judge), according to Fangraphs.
The Problem: Too Many Bats, Not Enough Spots
The issue for the Yankees lies in positional flexibility. The team has five productive players who
deserve to start every night, but only room for four of them in the lineup. And making matters even
more complicated, Giancarlo Stanton returns within the next month, adding a sixth name to thelogjam.
The six players Aaron Boone will be forced to rotate are:
- Paul Goldschmidt - 156 wRC+
- Trent Grisham - 149 wRC+
- Ben Rice - 140 wRC+
- Cody Bellinger - 119 wRC+
- Jasson Dominguez - 116 wRC+
- Giancarlo Stanton - 116 wRC+ in 2024
With this group, Boone faces several tricky constraints:
- Cody Bellinger has been everything advertised and, due to both his pedigree and contract
obligation, will play every day.
- Paul Goldschmidt has arguably been the second most consistent Yankee hitter and remains a
dangerous bat against left-handed pitching.
- Giancarlo Stanton can only DH at this point in his career. Given his playoff pedigree and streaky
nature, Boone will likely need to get him at least five games per week to allow him to get into a
groove.
That still leaves the manager trying to fit Dominguez, Grisham, and Rice into the lineup as much as
possible.
A High-Risk, High-Reward Option: Trade Jasson Dominguez?
One possible - and admittedly risky - solution: trading standout rookie Jasson Dominguez.
This isn't to suggest that he should be traded, but rather to acknowledge that his talent and trade
value might make him the most viable asset to solve the roster imbalance.
Dominguez, as a 22-year-old rookie, has posted:
- 116 wRC+
- .339 on-base percentage
- Elite athleticism and power potential
This combination makes him both a promising long-term piece and a very attractive trade candidate.Most importantly, he could be flipped to fill an area of need.
Filling the Real Hole: Third Base
The Yankees have rotated multiple players through third base, but all have underperformed
offensively. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. nearing a return, the Yankees may focus their trade efforts on a
third baseman or second baseman at the deadline.
Since Dominguez holds the highest trade value among the logjam players, he might be the key to
acquiring an impactful infielder.
Developmental Concerns for a Team in Contention
Another reason Dominguez may be expendable is that the Yankees might not be able to meet his
developmental needs while in "win-now" mode.
Current concerns:
- Left field defense: Dominguez has already posted a -5 OAA in limited action.
- Right-handed hitting: He holds just a 62 wRC+ vs. LHP.
Both flaws require consistent reps - reps that may be harder to come by as the playoff push
intensifies. If the Yankees had to play a playoff game tomorrow, even against a right-hander,
Dominguez may be the odd man out due to his glove.
Future Outlook: The Outfield is Only Getting More Crowded
Even outside the current roster, the outfield traffic continues:
- Spencer Jones, a top-5 Yankees prospect, could arrive soon. His defensive ability gives him more
positional flexibility than Dominguez.
- The 2026 free agent market is loaded with outfielders - including Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger,
both capable of locking down a corner outfield spot long-term.
Dominguez isn't ready to take over center field, and if Tucker or Bellinger returns, there may simply
not be room.
Lineup Balance Matters Too
Finally, the Yankees have an abundance of left-handed bats. While Dominguez is a switch hitter, his
struggles from the right side raise concerns about long-term fit.A better-balanced alternative could be Everson Pereira, the Yankees' No. 12 prospect. Pereira is:
- A right-handed hitter
- A steady defensive left fielder
- Sporting a .895 OPS in Triple-A
Given that, it's fair to ask: Should Brian Cashman at least explore the idea of moving Dominguez for
an infielder or better-balanced outfield option?
Conclusion: A Tough Call for the Bronx
Trading Jasson Dominguez would be painful - but it might also be smart.
If the Yankees are serious about winning now, they'll have to make hard decisions. And Dominguez,
while talented, may be the player that helps bring back the missing piece.Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
