Bold take: the Yankees’ left-field shuffle is the biggest winter drama, and the clock is ticking before Opening Day against the Giants. There are still about 3 ½ months to decide who stands in left field, with several plausible options on the table. Cody Bellinger remains the familiar path, Jasson Domínguez is the high-upside unknown, Spencer Jones is the wild card, and there could even be a right-handed addition someone like Brian Cashman could pull in to complicate the picture. This is exactly the kind of multifaceted decision that dominates the winter meetings, even if a final verdict isn’t expected to land before the week ends. Here’s how Boone sees each option as he maps out the plan to pair with Aaron Judge in right field and Trent Grisham in center.
Cody Bellinger
Boone hasn’t started actively pursuing Bellinger yet, which isn’t unusual for a player nearing free agency. But after witnessing his direct impact on the Yankees—offense, defense (especially his versatility), baserunning, and baseball IQ—the manager would eagerly welcome him back.
“Cody’s contributions last year were substantial—on and off the field, in every phase of the game, and with his athleticism and versatility. He’s earned the chance to be a free agent in a good place for someone still relatively young. We’ll see how it shakes out. He’s a high-quality player and a good person.” Boone said.
The challenge is the market. Bellinger is expected to attract a strong-quality group of teams, potentially including the Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies (if they can’t retain Kyle Schwarber), and perhaps even his original Dodgers. There could be a ceiling on Yankee spending as they attempt to keep payroll in check, which will influence how aggressively they chase him.
Jasson Domínguez
Domínguez’s first full season saw him benched frequently, edged out of the everyday lineup by Grisham’s emergence in center and Bellinger’s shift to left. To increase his at-bats and work on left-field defense, he played 10 games in the Dominican Winter League, but progress there is ongoing.
Boone acknowledged improvement but stressed there’s a long road ahead: “Overall, real improvement, but there’s still a long way to go. His athleticism—speed, arm strength—are big positives, and you hope they eventually tip the scales. The day he’s consistently good out there, that’s when you know progress sticks.”
Domínguez’s bat is the other critical question. As a switch-hitter with notably better results from the left side, his profile complicates the team’s plan for more balance. The Yankees still see upside in him as a potential switch-hitter since right-handed hitting is his natural side. If Bellinger returns, Domínguez could become even more valuable as a trade piece, though his value isn’t what it once was.
Spencer Jones
Jones represents the high-risk, high-reward prospect path. He spent early winter workouts at the Yankees’ complex and is slated to join Tampa for spring training, where his competition with Domínguez for a job could hinge on whether Bellinger returns.
Scouts are divided on Jones: a left-handed power hitter who can mash, yet also strikes out more than ideal. Like Domínguez, Jones could end up as trade bait if Bellinger signs elsewhere.
Boone noted Jones is in a better mental space this winter. He’s handled his minor-league duties with focus and now arrives in spring training with a clearer, more realistic view of a possible path to the majors, whether that’s starting the season in the big leagues or not."
