Currently in the Bronx, things are going well for the New York Yankees. They are at the top of the AL East and are starting to get hot at the right time of the year. However, this doesn’t come with much controversy as fans think the Yankees can do even better by making one simple change; switching Jasson Domínguez for Alex Verdugo. While Domínguez was called up last week, this was a move that many have been pushing to happen for weeks. Both Verdugo and Domínguez aka “The Martian” are outfielders, their only difference is that one is a budding star waiting for his moment and the other is a veteran who has not panned out the way New York wanted him to.
Domínguez, a 21-year-old outfielder, was signed by the Yankees as an international free agent in 2019. Since being put into the New York farm system, Domínguez has done nothing but impress. In three minor league seasons, he accumulated a total of 47 home runs, 189 RBIs and 102 stolen bases all while hitting for a respectable .247 batting average. The Martian made his MLB debut in 2023, yet he did not get his feet fully wet, as he saw limited at-bats. For this 2024 campaign, Domínguez has spent almost all of it in the minors as the Yankees have a full outfielder with the newly acquired Verdugo.
Verdugo, 28, comes from the Boston Red Sox, where he had a successful career. His best season came in 2022 where he batted .280, along with 74 runs batted in and 11 home runs. The Yankees were looking for Verdugo to take that jump from a good ballplayer into a superstar, although it just has not happened. To his frustration, Verdugo is only hitting in the mid .230’s this season, despite being at the age where most players are in their prime.
There is also a debate between fans and the media as to who Aaron Boone should start. The Yankees are in the middle of a playoff hunt, and even though Domínguez is good, he has limited experience compared to Verdugo, who has been to the playoffs and came up with big moments. On the other hand, the Yankees could be inclined to toggle both players and/or give Domínguez playing time and see how it goes before making a final decision. The fans want Domínguez; they want that spark and jolt that Verdugo has not but there seems to be more to the decision for Boone. As the Playoffs come closer, though, the Yankees should make it clear who they will be going forward with as their third outfielder along with perennial all-stars Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Will it be the new kid on the block Domínguez, or will it be the seasoned vet looking to get his spark back?