On Tuesday afternoon, Aaron Boone provided an update on the New York Yankees‘ plans for the starting left fielder in Game 1 of the ALDS, stating that no final decision had yet been made. Previously, Boone indicated that resolving the left field situation was the team’s biggest uncertainty, but he hinted at the possibility of Jasson Dominguez starting as soon as Saturday.
“As for evaluating Jasson Dominguez: I feel like he’s ready to go,” Boone said during an interview on Tuesday. “In whatever way we go, he’s gonna play a big part.”
Oswaldo Cabrera in the LF conversation
The question of who deserves to be in left field for Game 1 of the ALDS remains a hot topic among Yankees fans. Many supporters are backing Oswaldo Cabrera, who had an impressive regular season, posting a .296/.365/.661 slash line across 109 games with 299 at-bats, 74 hits, eight home runs, and 47 runs in 326 plate appearances. Cabrera’s solid performance has made him a popular pick among fans, despite competition for the position.
Alex Verdugo vs. Jasson Dominguez
Alex Verdugo, who played more frequently in left field toward the end of the season, finds himself in the mix as well. On the final day of the regular season, Verdugo admitted uncertainty about his role heading into the postseason but spoke confidently about the importance of every moment during playoff games.
“Playoffs are where every pitch, every inning, every at-bat matters,” Verdugo said on Sunday after delivering a crucial two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to help the Yankees end the regular season with a 94-68 record. “It’s no longer about what you did in the regular season. It’s about what you go out there and do, and how clutch you can be.”
Despite having the worst offensive season of his career—batting .233 with a .647 OPS—Verdugo is recognized for his reliable defensive abilities in left field. He also has valuable postseason experience, having batted .310 with an .835 OPS during Boston’s 2021 playoff run to the ALCS.
On the other hand, Jasson Dominguez, a natural center fielder who was called up on September 9, offers a higher offensive ceiling with his power and speed, though he hit just .179 with a .617 OPS in 18 games. Boone has shown confidence in Dominguez’s development, saying on Sunday that he has been encouraged by Dominguez’s recent defensive play, noting that he made several impressive plays in difficult conditions.
“Especially on Saturday, I thought he made some really good plays on a tough-condition day with the drizzle and the wind,” Boone said. “He moved well, made some tougher plays look easy. That’s encouraging. We’ll continue to work out there, and he’s certainly keeping himself in the mix.”
The defensive factor in Boone’s decision
Boone acknowledged that defense would play a key role in deciding who starts in left field but also left open the possibility of shifting Juan Soto to left and moving Aaron Judge to right field, allowing Dominguez to play center. However, such an alignment would be unexpected at Yankee Stadium due to its spacious left field, though it could be an option at Minute Maid Park if the Yankees advance to the ALCS.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Forget Verdugo or Dominguez, whose calamities on defense are a real cause for concern. Boone should use LF to get Berti and Cabrera into the lineup. Both have experience at the position, are the more reliable contact hitters they need for the playoffs and both possess outstanding speed.