Jasson Dominguez couldn’t haul in a tough running catch at the wall in Thursday’s spring training action, further fanning the flames of concern around Yankee Universe regarding the youngster’s ability to patrol left field.
Dominguez already misplayed multiple balls in left so far this spring after struggles at the position down the stretch of last season, and while Keith McPherson isn’t hitting the panic button just yet, he does believe it has come time to think about a backup plan.
“I’m not worried yet, but this is the time to have the conversation and maybe have some alternatives,” Keith said. “The whole baseball world just mocked the Yankees for their defense…today is a month before Opening Day…why throw this young man into left field if he’s not prepared?
“You can’t tell me he’s gonna be able to get up to speed in left field that fast. It’s going to be an issue and a liability.”
With less than four weeks to go until Opening Day, Keith doesn’t see a world where Dominguez gets acclimated in left field in time, and wonders if the injury to Giancarlo Stanton paves the way for Aaron Judge to get DH time and the outfield can be shuffled to where Trent Grisham slots in center and Dominguez can move to the much smaller right field. At the very least, Keith wants to get a look at a different alignment before the season starts.
“If the whole logic is that Judge is gonna get DH days…and you plan on moving Bellinger to right, Grisham in center, and Dominguez in right, what sense does that make?” Keith said.
“Can I at least see a game with Cody Bellinger in left field and Dominguez in center field?”