Yankees manager Aaron Boone was in his office at Yankee Stadium last week chatting with Major League information coordinator Ryan McLaughlin and pitching coach Matt Blake when big organizational news broke. Looking at his phone, Blake shared the update: free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger was returning on a new five-year, $162.5-million contract.
“There was a little rumble and a roar through the clubhouse in our excitement to get Cody back,” Boone said. Most everyone associated with the Yankees, fans included, surely are thrilled. Most.
We’re assuming Jasson Dominguez didn’t love this because he probably would have the starting left fielder role in his second full season instead of being ticketed for an extra-player role. Center fielder prospect Spencer Jones also probably isn’t doing cartwheels because he’ll likely start the 2026 season back in Scranton after hitting 35 homers and stealing 29 bases playing Double-A and Triple-A ball last year.
Injuries, of course, can change things. But the bottom line is the Yankees’ projected starting outfield now is the same that Boone used late last season and during the playoffs: Aaron Judge in right, Trent Grisham in center, and Bellinger in left.
Boone addressed the 2026 outlook for Dominguez and Jones on Wednesday during a Zoom call with reporters that included Bellinger and GM Brian Cashman.
“You know, the reality is it does change,” Boone said. “We’ve got Cody obviously right back in the center of the mix and Grisham back. So that maybe complicates some things for them, but we also know what potentially outstanding players they’re going to be in this league.
“We have a long time to go between now and even the first spring training game, but certainly opening day, and you never know what’s going to come down the pike.”
Sure, a couple of injuries this spring could lead to Dominguez and Jones making the Opening Day roster, maybe even as starters. Rookie Will Warren and non-roster veteran Carlos Carrasco began last season in the Yankees’ starting pitching due to two serious spring training arm injuries: Gerrit Cole’s Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil’s high-grade lat strain.
And so, Dominguez, who turns 23 in February, and Jones, 25 in May, are insurance policies for the time being — unless Cashman uses one of them as a trade piece at some point this season. That wouldn’t be shocking.
One starting outfield spot could open next year because Grisham will be a free agent after playing 2026 on a one-year deal for $20.025 million, the qualifying offer that he accepted.
As for the backup plans, Boone said, “We’re fortunate to have two really talented players — in Jasson’s case, a guy that’s already been in the big leagues and already had some success and gained real experience at the big-league level.
“Spencer’s trying to kick that door in after a really, really outstanding minor-league season last year.
“So if you start predicting the future too early, things change in a hurry.”
If Grisham gets hurt, Bellinger likely would slide to center with Dominguez in left. If first baseman Ben Rice misses time with an injury, Bellinger probably would fill in there with Dominguez in left.
And if the Yankees lose two outfielders to injury, or one outfielder plus designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, Dominguez would be an everyday player with Jones possibly getting his first big-league action, too.
“One of the things why we love Belly so much is the versatility he brings,” Boone said. “Belly’s that true versatile player that can go be really successful all over the diamond. So we’ll see how everything plays out.
“The reality is we have a lot of really good players, and Jasson and Spencer are part of that.”
https://www.nj.com/yankees/2026/01/yankees-take-on-jasson-dominguez-spencer-jones-with-cody-bellinger-back.html
