On Sunday, the Yankees’ 14-7 loss to the Cardinals only deepened the scrutiny surrounding their recent roster moves, particularly the decision to favor Alex Verdugo over Jasson Dominguez.
As the Yankees grapple with a disappointing season, fans and media alike have sharply criticized Manager Aaron Boone’s choices regarding these two players.
Yankees’ roster decisions under fire after latest loss
The Yankees opted to promote Duke Ellis from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre instead of calling up top prospect Dominguez as rosters expanded to 28 players. Ellis, a 26-year-old outfielder acquired off waivers from the Mariners, was chosen over Dominguez, who remains in the minors while recovering from Tommy John surgery and an oblique strain. This decision has fueled widespread discontent among Yankees fans and analysts.
Jasson Dominguez’s continued absence is particularly glaring given his recent performance. Despite struggling in a brief stint with the Yankees on August 18, where he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, Dominguez has been impressive in Triple-A. Over his last 16 games, he has hit .359 with a .958 OPS against right-handed pitchers. His exclusion from the major league roster is seen by many as a missed opportunity, especially as the team battles a frustrating season with a 39-39 record since June 1.
Yankees fans and media question Boone’s choices
The criticism of Boone’s decisions intensified after Bryan Hoch of MLB.com argued that the Yankees are not fielding their best team by leaving Dominguez in the minors. Fox Sports’ Deesha Thosar also weighed in, labeling Boone’s decision as a case of overthinking, given Dominguez’s potential to contribute positively. Thosar highlighted that Dominguez’s solid performance in Triple-A contrasts sharply with Verdugo’s struggles.
Alex Verdugo, who had a couple of singles in Sunday’s game, has been underwhelming since June 15, with a dismal .539 OPS over that span. Boone defended Verdugo, praising his recent defensive contributions and suggesting that better at-bats might be forthcoming. However, this defense has not alleviated fan frustrations.
Social media has been abuzz with criticism. Some commentators expressed disbelief over why Dominguez, with his high potential, was not promoted over Ellis, who has limited major league experience. Critics pointed out that Verdugo’s performance has been poor overall, raising questions about the team’s decision-making process.
The Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman, had previously stated that there was “currently no lane” for Dominguez, but the ongoing debates and poor team performance suggest that fans and analysts are losing patience. With Ellis’s limited impact and Verdugo’s inconsistent play, the Yankees’ choices regarding these players remain a focal point of criticism as the team struggles to find its footing.
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This article is total garbage. To think that Boone has any say on bringing Dominguez up, is absolutely crazy thinking. Cashman set it up to make sure Dominguez didn’t get the call.