Potential.

He isn't a good hitter and he isn't a good fielder. He was given 400 at-bats last season and he didn't hit well enough to earn a starting spot on the team.

"As easy as it is to suggest that the Yankees should trade Domínguez now, what would be the point? Very rarely do you see an impact player traded either in spring training or in April, and the Yankees aren’t — or at least, shouldn’t — give up Domínguez for pennies on the dollar.

For the sake of conversation, let’s assume that Grisham or Stanton needs to go on the injured list at some point. Naturally, Domínguez would be the next man up. But what happens if Grisham returns to his 2024 form, or his power stroke suddenly vanishes? Would the Yankees realistically move Grisham back to the bench and name Domínguez the starting left fielder again?

At this stage, the best thing the Yankees can do is wait until June 1. By that point, we should have an idea of which teams are either out of the playoff race or are open to trading players who no longer fit in their plans, as the Red Sox did with Rafael Devers last June.

All of this is an unfortunate saga that the Yankees brought upon both themselves and Domínguez. He’ll play the entire season at 23 years old, and he’s under team control through 2031. Yet, does anyone really genuinely believe that the Yankees will course correct and get things right at any point this year? I certainly don’t."

I don't understand any of this.

The Yankees are concerned about the state of the Yankees, not the state of Jasson Dominguez's career.

It's very likely Dominguez gets lots of playing time with the Yankees in 2026. Injuries or a major slump by one of the starters. Trent Grisham isn't Mickey Mantle. Before that, Dominguez would help his cause by playing well in the minors and shagging some flies.

What does Rafael Devers have to do with anything? The Red Sox traded a good player and the Yankees are unwilling to pull the trigger? Maybe so, but Dominguez isn't ... you know ... a good player.

He might be one day, but "potential" won't get too much in the marketplace. 

 

Judge is the best. If he's asked about the World Series, he has to talk about the World Series.

But no one has the ability to live in the moment.

The regular season is so boring for most Yankee fans and players, they're already talking about the World Series. Half the WFAN callers are fast forwarding to draft picks and 2030 free agent signings.

The regular season begins Wednesday night in San Francisco.

Two months ago, it was -20 degree wind chill.

I can't wait for Opening Day. 

"Anthony Volpe looms" is one of the least intimidating things a MLB shortstop can hear.

"Concede."

Jasson Dominguez might get demoted to AAA.

That must have been quite an inquisition to get that shocking piece of information out of the Yankees.

But according to Mike Lupica, Juan Soto is the biggest storyline.

In fact, most erudite baseball fans don't even pay attention to the New York Yankees anyway. It's for the tourists.

"Move the Needle," he says.

"It’s a deal the Yankees had to get done. After standing pat and failing to make any major moves thus far into the offseason, it truly began to feel as if it was Bellinger or bust for New York. Fortunately, they’ve managed to retain their top free agent, but does his return truly enhance the team’s chances of winning a World Series?"

You're wrong!

Bellinger returning is important!

 

"Don’t get me wrong. Bellinger returning is important. But the Yankees are effectively back to where they were last season when they were routed in the ALDS by the rival Blue Jays. As it stands, the organization will trot out the same core in 2026 as they did in 2025, while many of their competitors have re-tooled and gotten better."

The Blue Jays lost Bichette, if that helps.

 

"Bellinger’s return seems like the absolute bare minimum for New York. GM Brian Cashman better have a few more moves up his sleeves, because as it stands now, the Yankees don’t look like the best team in the American League, let alone a real threat to dethrone the Dodgers."

So who's the best team in the AL?

I mean, it's just a pretty vague and eye-opening statement to say "many of their competitors have re-tooled and gotten better" without describing who in the AL has "re-tooled and gotten better."

Supposing the Blue Jays were the best team in the AL in 2025 ... they made the World Series and beat the Yankees head to head in the regular season and the playoffs, of course.

Have the Blue Jays moved the needle? If you REALLY like Dylan Cease that much, then go on record and say it.

Who else is in the running?

The Mariners, the Rangers, the Astros, the Red Sox, the Tigers ... have they really re-tooled and moved the needle in a positive direction? "Running back" Tarik Skubal doesn't count.

I like Pete Alonso well enough. Is he going to be worth 20 extra wins for the Orioles?

 

The 2026 Yankees are not an exciting narrative. They are going to slog their way through the regular season with 90+ wins and likely lose in the playoffs again. Same reasons as always. Though maybe this year they catch a few breaks and emerge victorious.

As for Bellinger, he is precisely the type of player that might help get them over the hump.

 

 

PED usage doesn't bother me as much as it bothers many people.

Pettitte has a case. He's 100 games over .500 for his career.

But there are dozens and dozens of players who are more deserving and have waited longer and ... obviously ... if the voters are suddenly forgiving of PED usage in Pettitte's case, I think it's just because he charmed them with an "aw, shucks" persona.