The New York Yankees may plan to utilize Cody Bellinger in center field, which would allow Aaron Judge to return to right field, a position that suits him better. However, first base remains an option for Bellinger as well.
Instead of targeting another left fielder, the 2024 American League Champions are focused on bringing Pete Alonso to the Bronx to take over first base. This move would open the door for Jasson Dominguez to showcase his potential to Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
“I’d like to see Dominguez get his shot now,” Cashman told the New York Post. “He’s young. He’s got to earn it and retain it.”
Dominguez, the Yankees’ top-ranked prospect, has yet to make a significant impact at the MLB level, appearing in just 26 big-league games. Despite this, the 21-year-old boasts tremendous upside. In 58 minor-league games last season, he recorded a .314 batting average and an .880 OPS. While his defense still needs improvement, Dominguez possesses all five tools required to excel in the majors and will only be 22 at the start of 2025. Adding Alonso to the roster would give him the opportunity to prove himself.
It’s worth noting, however, that Bellinger is coming off a below-expectations season, posting a .751 OPS—slightly above league average. Despite this, he’s commanding a salary significantly higher than that of an average outfielder or first baseman, regardless of the position the Yankees choose for him.
Should the Yankees steal Pete Alonso from their cross-town rival and give Jasson Dominguez a shot?
Pete Alonso has established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters since debuting in 2019. Only Aaron Judge has hit more home runs than the 30-year-old slugger during that span. Adding Alonso to a lineup featuring Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez would give the Yankees an elite power-hitting core. If Dominguez develops into the star Brian Cashman envisions, the team could easily compensate for the loss of Juan Soto’s 2024 production.
Alonso’s consistency is a standout quality. In five full seasons, he’s never hit fewer than 30 home runs and has earned four All-Star selections. Durability has also been a hallmark of his career, as he has never missed more than 10 games in a season—an underrated asset. The Yankees have lacked a long-term solution at first base since Mark Teixeira retired, and Alonso could fill that void.
Although Alonso is coming off his least productive season, with career lows in home runs, RBIs, and OPS (excluding the 2020 shortened season), he demonstrated his power in the 2024 postseason. The “Polar Bear” hit .273 with a .999 OPS and four home runs, proving he remains one of the league’s most feared hitters. Slotting him into a Yankees lineup with Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton would give Alonso the protection he’s lacked for much of his career.
Signing Alonso would cap off an exceptional offseason for the Yankees. After losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to the Mets, Cashman has made impactful moves to keep the Yankees among the American League’s top contenders. Trading for elite closer Devin Williams from the Brewers and signing Max Fried to an eight-year deal solidified the roster. Adding Alonso alongside Judge, Bellinger, Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Austin Wells would further bolster their championship aspirations—especially if Dominguez fulfills his potential.
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