Yankees Face a Tough Call: Is It Time to Trade Jasson Dominguez for a Championship Push?
For years now, Jasson Dominguez has been more myth than man in the Bronx. A switch-hitting outfielder with jaw-dropping tools and a nickname straight out of science fiction - “The Martian” - Dominguez was billed as the next great Yankee before he even stepped into the batter’s box in the majors. But as the 2026 season approaches, the conversation around him is shifting from when he’ll be a star to whether he should still be part of the Yankees’ future at all.
The Yankees are in a win-now window. That’s not just a cliché - it’s a reality.
Aaron Judge is still in his prime, the rotation is anchored by Gerrit Cole, and the front office has already shown it’s willing to spend. But after watching the crosstown Mets swoop in and land elite closer Devin Williams, while the Yankees stood pat, it’s clear the pressure is mounting in the Bronx.
And that brings us to Dominguez. If Spencer Jones wins the fourth outfielder role in spring training - thanks to his blend of elite defense, left-handed power, and athleticism - then holding onto Dominguez isn’t just a luxury. It might be a missed opportunity.
Dominguez or a World Series?
This is the central question facing Yankees brass: Do you want to keep your top-five farm system intact, or do you want to raise a trophy in October?
Because right now, you probably can’t have both.
The Yankees still need another starting pitcher or a late-inning bullpen weapon. Devin Williams was supposed to be that guy.
Now, they’ll need to look elsewhere. And Dominguez, still just 22 and brimming with potential, is the kind of trade chip that can bring back a game-changing piece.
Sandy Alcántara: The Ace on the Block
Enter Sandy Alcántara.
The Marlins are reportedly open to listening on their Cy Young winner, and the asking price is steep - as it should be. Any conversation starts with Dominguez, and likely includes more.
But here’s the thing: a healthy Alcántara isn’t just another arm. He’s a workhorse, a tone-setter, the kind of pitcher who not only eats innings but dominates them. Pairing him with Cole and Max Fried gives the Yankees a playoff rotation that shortens games and protects a bullpen that just lost a major piece.
This is the type of aggressive, win-now move that defined the George Steinbrenner era. It’s painful to part with a young, high-ceiling talent like Dominguez, but Alcántara isn’t a prospect - he’s proven. And in a tight championship window, that matters.
Why Spencer Jones Changes the Equation
The reason this conversation is even on the table is because of Spencer Jones. While Dominguez has dealt with injuries and defensive inconsistencies, Jones has quietly put together a compelling case for an everyday role.
He’s cut down his strikeouts, maintained elite exit velocity, and shown the kind of speed and defense that plays in any outfield. Scouts rave about his size and athleticism, and right now, his floor might be higher than Dominguez’s - especially when you factor in his ability to contribute on the bases and in the field.
With Aaron Judge locked into right and the potential addition of another outfielder - maybe a returning Cody Bellinger or a new face like Kyle Tucker - Dominguez suddenly looks like the odd man out. And he’s not the kind of player you stash on the bench. He needs regular at-bats to develop, not a part-time DH role or a spot on the IL.
Jones, on the other hand, fits the fourth outfielder mold perfectly: speed, defense, power off the bench, and the ability to step into a starting role if needed.
The Prospect Dilemma
Yankees fans have seen this story before.
A top prospect rises through the ranks with sky-high expectations, only to plateau or flame out at the major league level. Jesus Montero.
Deivi Garcia. Oswald Peraza.
Even Anthony Volpe, who’s still trying to find his footing.
The lesson? Sometimes the best time to trade a prospect is when their value is at its peak - before the league adjusts or injuries take their toll.
Dominguez still carries the shine of future stardom. That’s what makes him valuable.
But if he struggles again or misses more time, that value drops fast. The Yankees can’t afford to wait and see.
Not with Judge in his 30s, not with a fanbase hungry for another parade.
The Case for Boldness
Trading Jasson Dominguez won’t be easy. It won’t be popular. And there’s a real chance he becomes a star somewhere else.
But flags fly forever.
The Yankees have a chance to turn a surplus of outfield talent into a frontline starter. That’s not hoarding - that’s smart roster building. If Spencer Jones proves this spring that he belongs, the front office needs to have the courage to make a tough call.
Because in New York, the only thing riskier than going all-in is standing still.
And standing still hasn’t won the Yankees a title in a long time.