With the start of Yankees spring training just two weeks away, Aaron Boone shed some light on his preferred outfield alignment on Tuesday.
The manager, speaking with WFAN’s Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata, said that he plans on using Jasson Domínguez in left field. Cody Bellinger, acquired from the Cubs earlier this season, will likely play center.
Bellinger has experience playing all three outfield positions and has rated well over 4,015 innings as a center fielder, totaling 10 Defensive Runs Saved and 19 Outs Above Average. Some wondered if he might move to left when playing in the Bronx this season, as that’s the tougher position at Yankee Stadium.
Domínguez, meanwhile, struggled in left during a late-season call-up last year. The 21-year-old misplayed a handful of balls while recording -1 Defensive Runs Saved and -2 Outs Above Average. However, the natural center fielder received limited reps in left in the majors and minors thanks to an injury-riddled season.
With some more practice, the Yankees are hoping Domínguez can take over in left with Alex Verdugo no longer in his way.
“We’ll try and get Domínguez up to speed in left,” Boone said.
Boone went on to explain that he would prefer to keep Domínguez in one spot. Bellinger, who can also play first base, can move around as needed with Aaron Judge in right and Trent Grisham currently offering quality center field defense off the bench.
“I feel good about moving Bellinger wherever,” Boone said. “I’d ideally not like to move Domínguez as much. So on a day where [Giancarlo Stanton] is out and Judge is going to DH, I can move Bellinger over [to right] and throw Grish into center and keep Domínguez in left.
“But we’ll see how it all shakes out.”
Boone also mentioned Everson Pereira as part of the Yankees’ outfield mix. The 23-year-old is healthy after undergoing UCL surgery last season.
INFIELD ALIGNMENT
The Yankees’ current options at second and third base — Jazz Chisholm Jr., DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza — are all capable of playing both positions. “Right now,” Boone said that he has Chisholm at second, with the other three competing for the hot corner. Of course, it’s possible the Yankees add another infielder between now and Opening Day, but external options are limited.
Chisholm learned third on the fly last season after being acquired from the Marlins, but second is his most experienced position. Regardless of where he played, he was always expected to start for the Yankees.
The other three leave a lot to be desired at third. LeMahieu, still owed $30 million over the next two years, has shown serious decline and battled injuries the last few seasons. Still, the Yankees have repeatedly expressed hope that the two-time batting champ can rebound in 2025.
Cabrera, meanwhile, is best suited as a utilityman, as he can play just about everywhere. Peraza has yet to show that he can hit big league pitching.
WHO IS HITTING FIRST?
After watching Gleyber Torres, now with the Tigers, claim the leadoff spot last season, the Yankees don’t have a clear candidate for the job right now. Boone mentioned Chisholm and Domínguez as possibilities, but only briefly. He then mentioned Chisholm’s power making him a threat in the middle of the order.
Anthony Volpe could be another logical leadoff option, but only if he shows that he can get on base at a higher clip in Year 3.
Boone also said the Yankees could alternate leadoff hitters depending on whether they’re facing a lefty or a righty.