NY Post: Dominguez may not have a roster spot

[pitchingandefense]

https://nypost.com/2026/02/13/sports/j ... es-roster/

In a recent thread about Bloom saying he may not be done with moves this offseason, several posters brought up different moves to make and it was pointed out that the Cards have some players who could be useful to the Yankees. I mentioned Jasson Dominguez as a target, and then this article from the NY Post came out yesterday detailing how he looks to be squeezed out of a roster spot.

He is still only 23 and has five years of team control, which means he matches up well with the current core the Cards are building. His baserunning, arm strength and walk rates are already very good and he did post a better than league average wRC+ over 100 in his first full season.

His range on defense is the main knock against him, but he actually showed improvement in that area as the year progressed. OAA by months he played enough to qualify:
April -4
May -2
June +1
July -1
August -1

So after early season struggles he managed to be close to league average. Defensive improvement to being a good left fielder is definitely possible for someone of his age and athleticism.

His other weakness is hitting from the right side. He is still young enough to improve or abandon switch hitting. And the power from both sides may still see improvement because his exit velos, bat speed and hard hit % are all rated as well above league average.

The Yankees could use help at C, LHR, and SP depth for their injury plagued rotation. Pages, Romero and Fitts for Dominguez matches up well on BTV and gives both teams something they need.

[C-Unit]

If they are going to move on I'd sure take a flyer, he has much more upside than Castellanos did. Dominguez has power speed and draws walks. Probably some 20-30 seasons with .340+ on base in the future for him. And would be a good opportunity to take away Nootbaar's roster spot and then start trying to find a way to get rid of him.

[sikeston bulldog2]

If they are going to move on I'd sure take a flyer, he has much more upside than Castellanos did. Dominguez has power speed and draws walks. Probably some 20-30 seasons with .340+ on base in the future for him. And would be a good opportunity to take away Nootbaar's roster spot and then start trying to find a way to get rid of him.

A 20/30 guy in left would satisfy that requirement.

[Shady]

Dominguez would be a really good acquisition for the Cardinals. Wonder what it would take to get him. If the Yankees need a catcher. Would they take Crooks for Dominguez?

[RamFan08NY]

I see plenty of his games. He's an adventure and a train wreck waiting to happen in the OF. Make Lonnie Smith look like Clemente. However, the youth and power would be a nice add.
I dont think I'd give up those 3 players for him though.

[TheFantasyStud]

All in favor say I
“I”

[cardstatman]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

[Shady]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

If Dominguez can hit anywhere close to Burleson. Which is doubtful. It would be nice to have Dominquez in addition to Burleson. The Cardinals could sure use another hitter in the lineup like Burleson. MLB hitters like Burleson "don't grow on trees".

[Mort Gage]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

I like the idea of cashing in high on Burleson in a package for a younger, higher ceiling OF like Dominguez. They could plug in Herrera or Gorman at 1B.

[Melville]

If they are going to move on I'd sure take a flyer, he has much more upside than Castellanos did. Dominguez has power speed and draws walks. Probably some 20-30 seasons with .340+ on base in the future for him. And would be a good opportunity to take away Nootbaar's roster spot and then start trying to find a way to get rid of him.

A 20/30 guy in left would satisfy that requirement.

Dominguez has 16 HR and just 37 XBH's overall in 529 PA's - or one in every 14 or 15 PA's.
That's not good for a corner outfielder.
In fact, it is the same rate as Walker and Winn (and well below that of Burleson and Gorman).
He does, however, have a career .327 OBP and 29 stolen nases in 34 tries.
So there is some balance to his game.
He is also early in his career.
Bottom line: he could get better but right now he looks like a fairly average corner outfielder offensively with questionable defense.
Unlikely to become a middle order lineup piece but very likely to be a handy bat if hitting 7th - and better than most (if not all) than the existing options since Bloom traded Donovan leaving the outfield cupboard bare.
Pallante, Romero, and perhaps Pozo might be a solid exchange.

[C-Unit]

DH Dominguez
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
RF Nelson Velasquez / Walker / Baez
3B Gorman / Saggese / Fermin
C Crooks Pozo
CF Scott II / Peete

Could take your chance and pimp that lineup out there. Could get 100 total SB between the 9, 1, 2 and 3 hitters.

Still, a far cry from a competitive lineup.

[2ninr]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

If Dominguez can hit anywhere close to Burleson. Which is doubtful. It would be nice to have Dominquez in addition to Burleson. The Cardinals could sure use another hitter in the lineup like Burleson. MLB hitters like Burleson "don't grow on trees".

[ecleme22]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

If Dominguez can hit anywhere close to Burleson. Which is doubtful. It would be nice to have Dominquez in addition to Burleson. The Cardinals could sure use another hitter in the lineup like Burleson. MLB hitters like Burleson "don't grow on trees".

It’s not like Burleson is Mr. .900 ops.

JD would only need to hit a little better. His walk rate is better than AB’s

[pitchingandefense]

DH Dominguez
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
RF Nelson Velasquez / Walker / Baez
3B Gorman / Saggese / Fermin
C Crooks Pozo
CF Scott II / Peete

Could take your chance and pimp that lineup out there. Could get 100 total SB between the 9, 1, 2 and 3 hitters.

Still, a far cry from a competitive lineup.

Others have pointed out his defensive shortcomings and the possibility of DH, and I get it. But it seems like that opinion is mostly formed by his early season struggles instead of improvement he made during the season. If the Cards should acquire him, I think they’d give him a long look in LF.

As for the potential lineup, it is fun to think of some possibilities. Personally, I hope Gorman, Walker and Winn all get it together, but I don’t think any of them will. Really hope I’m wrong about that. I also believe that Baez will become a very good RF and Torres will surprise out of camp.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

Redundant to Burleson. Hits good against RHP; cannot field a position except possibly 1B.

If he can be acquired cheaply, then trade high on Burleson for prospects and play Dominguez, Herrera at 1B, DH. This is how you rebuild. Burleson has only 3 years of control left so won't be around for the inevitable WS championship in 2029 since these rebuild always work (Example: Washingon Nationals are favored to win the WS in 2026 if I'm not mistaken).

Alternative is to trade Pages, let Herrera catch, and play Dominquez at DH. However, IMHO Pages is undervalued; he had a nice year at C last year but BTV gives him low trade value.

I like that flip Burley before his bubble burst.

[Jobu's Rum]

Wonder if JoJo and Crooks is enough, if not add Burleson for JD and prospect

Or 3 way with Houston looking for a LH OF bat

Cards get Dominguez
Yanks get JoJo, Crooks and 2 Houston mid tier prospects
Stros get Nootbaar

Edit, forgot they have Austin Wells, they may like Pages instead