Yankees Predicted to Dump Struggling $5.1 Million Rookie in Massive Giants Trade

In the top of the seventh inning at Fenway Park on Saturday, with the Yankees trailing the Boston Red Sox 4-2, New York’s No. 1 prospect-turned top rookie Jasson Dominguez stood on second base with Trent Grisham at the plate.

With two runs already scored in the inning and Grisham with 13 home runs on the season, the situation looked primed for the Yankees to tie the game.

But then Grisham swung and missed at strike two from Boston lefty Justin Wilson and catcher Carlos Narvaez fired the ball to second base. For some reason, Dominguez was standing at least 10 feet off the bag, oblivious. He tried to recover from the egregious mental lapse and run to third, but was easily thrown out by shortstop Trevor Story.

The boneheaded play seemed to sum up the season for the Yankees rookie, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 for a club record $5.1 million bonus.

Dominguez One of MLB’s Worst Defensive Outfielders

Though he debuted in 2023 and as of Tuesday had played 84 big league games, Dominguez has been mediocre at best at the plate, with a .709 OPS and just six home runs this season, while his defense ranks him as one of the worst outfielders in baseball.

His fielding run value of -5 is tied with the White Sox’ Andrew Benintendi for third-worst among all MLB left fielders, according to Baseball Savant. His defensive runs saved, also -5, places him second-worst — and bottom of the league for left fielders with more than 300 innings at the position.

Meanwhile, the slumping Yankees have seen their lead in American League East narrow to 2 1/2 games over the Tampa Bay Rays from seven on May 27.

How do they solve the Dominguez problem while also putting themselves in position to repeat as AL champions and get back to the World Series after losing in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024?

One Yankees expert, Esteban Quiñones of Pinstripes Nation, reported on Tuesday that the Bronx Bombers “are once again expected to swing big as the trade deadline looms, this time targeting a long-coveted infield upgrade. San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman, the five-time Gold Glove third baseman, who is currently recovering from a sprained right hand, offers a suitable solution.”

The Yankees have been searching for a permanent third baseman all season long.

Shocking Devers Trade Created Yankees Opportunity

With the Giants on Sunday trading for Rafael Devers, the former third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, and more importantly agreeing to assume 100 percent of the final eight-and-a-half years of Devers’ 10-year, $313.5 million contract — and Chapman signing a six-year, $151 million deal before this season, the Giants will need to dump Chapman’s salary, according to Quiñones.

“San Francisco was forced into this position by the Devers trade,” the Pinstripes Nation scribe wrote. “Rather than create tension between two $100 million third basemen, they appear ready to pivot.”

But why would the Giants accept the faltering Dominguez? According to Quiñones, “the upside is in prospect capital. Domínguez could be a star in center field at Oracle Park.”

The Yankees would also send their No. 12 prospect, outfielder Everson Pereira, and veteran middle reliever Ian Hamilton, according to Pinstripes Nation.

“Pereira adds depth, and Hamilton gives their shaky bullpen a needed boost,” Quiñones noted.

So, is Yankees longtime general manager Brian Cashman actually going to make this seal with happen?

“The ball is now in Brian Cashman’s court,” Quiñones wrote. “The opportunity to land one of baseball’s elite defenders — and finally solve third base — may never be better.”