NEW YORK — The Yankees have been quiet this winter. Too quiet for a team that just lost the World Series. Fans are restless. The roster has holes. And Jasson Dominguez, once untouchable, might be the key to fixing one of them.
A new trade proposal has surfaced that could reshape the Yankees pitching staff. The cost? The former top prospect who has struggled to meet sky-high expectations.
Report pitches Reds swap
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter outlined several moves the Yankees could make to salvage their offseason. One proposal involves a swap with the Cincinnati Reds. The deal would send Dominguez to Cincinnati in exchange for two pitchers: Brady Singer and Chase Petty.
Singer would give the Yankees a proven starter on a manageable contract. He is set to earn $13 million in 2026 on a one-year deal. Petty would add a high-ceiling arm to the farm system with an eye toward the future.
The proposal appeared in a December 19, 2025, story titled “Yankees Free-Agency and Trade Blueprint to Salvage the Offseason in 5 Steps.”
Singer brings veteran stability
Singer is coming off a career year with the Reds. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 14-12 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2025. He struck out 163 batters across 169.2 innings while walking just 60.
The Kansas City Royals drafted Singer in the first round in 2018 out of the University of Florida. He won the Dick Howser Trophy as college baseball’s top player that year. Cincinnati acquired him from Kansas City in November 2024 for Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer.
Singer made a strong impression in his Reds debut. He pitched seven innings against the Texas Rangers on March 31, 2025, allowing just one hit while striking out eight. His 163 strikeouts led the Reds pitching staff. His 14 wins tied for eighth in all of baseball.
The Yankees rotation features Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon at the top. Adding Singer would give them a dependable middle-of-the-rotation arm. His $13 million salary fits within the team’s budget constraints.
Petty offers raw upside
Petty represents the future piece in this trade. The 22-year-old right-hander was a first-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 at No. 26 overall. The Reds acquired him from Minnesota in March 2022 as part of the Sonny Gray trade.
MLB.com’s scouting report highlights his electric stuff. “His fastball is almost a setup pitch to his secondary offerings, but he still averaged 95-96 mph, touching the upper 90s, and his two-seamer features good sink for groundball contact,” the report stated.
The scouting report continued: “At times he has a distinct upper-80s slider and a 91-92 mph cutter, although they occasionally run into each other. They miss bats at a high rate in any iteration.”
Petty made his MLB debut in 2025 but struggled in limited action. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Louisville. The Reds still believe in his mid-rotation ceiling. MLB Pipeline describes him as “officially in knocking on the door territory.”
His four-seam fastball averaged 96 mph in 2025. His two-seamer sat around 94.7 mph. He also throws a slider in the low-to-mid 80s and a cutter in the 88-92 mph range. The Yankees would be betting on his development.
Dominguez’s value has dropped
Dominguez was once untouchable in trade talks. The switch-hitting outfielder signed for $5.1 million at age 16, a Yankees franchise record for an international amateur. Scouts dubbed him “The Martian” for his otherworldly tools. Some compared him to Mickey Mantle.
Reality has not matched the hype. Dominguez slashed .257/.331/.388 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in his first full MLB season in 2025. He stole 23 bases but struggled badly against left-handed pitching, batting just .204 with only one homer off southpaws.
Reuter explained why the Yankees might move him now. “However, he logged a middling .618 OPS with five extra-base hits in 120 plate appearances after the All-Star break and was a non-factor down the stretch, so the Yankees could opt to move him while upside still drives his value,” he wrote.
The defensive struggles made things worse. Dominguez played mostly left field in 2025 after spending his minor league career in center. He finished with minus-10 Outs Above Average, ranking in the second percentile among all MLB outfielders.
Winter ball has not helped
Dominguez is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic with Leones del Escogido. The results have been ugly. He is batting just .184 with a .568 OPS and no home runs through 46 plate appearances.
The purpose of winter ball was to work on his splits against lefties. Instead, he is struggling against all pitching. Teams watching his performance will lower their trade offers.
Manager Aaron Boone remains publicly supportive. “I still really like his ceiling,” Boone said in early November. “I think he did a lot of really good things this year. But again, you’ve got to see where the winter takes you and what the roster looks like. I expect him to be a regular player for us.”
The Yankees face a crowded outfield
The outfield picture complicates Dominguez’s future. Aaron Judge owns right field. Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer and returns to center. Jazz Chisholm moved to second base. That leaves left field as the only open spot.
The Yankees want Cody Bellinger back after his strong 2025 season. They have also been linked to Kyle Tucker. If either player signs, Dominguez becomes expendable. His trade value might never be higher than right now.
Spencer Jones is also knocking on the door. The 6-foot-7 slugger hit 35 home runs in the minors last year. He was added to the 40-man roster in November. The Yankees might not have room for both young outfielders.
The trade makes sense for both teams
The Reds get a 22-year-old switch-hitter with speed and upside. They have time to develop him. They are not in win-now mode like the Yankees. Dominguez could blossom in Cincinnati without the pressure of New York expectations.
The Yankees get immediate rotation help and a prospect to develop. Singer fills a need right now. Petty could contribute down the road. The team addresses pitching depth without breaking the bank.
Dominguez is still just 22 years old. He has 84th percentile speed. He stole 23 bases in 2025. The tools that made him a phenom still exist. But the Yankees cannot wait forever. Their championship window is open. They need proven players, not projects.
This trade would signal a shift in philosophy. The Yankees would be betting on pitching over position player upside. With Singer and Petty in the fold, they would have options for 2026 and beyond. The question is whether general manager Brian Cashman is ready to give up on The Martian.
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