Yankees’ Cashman explains why Jasson Domínguez was not promoted despite Verdugo’s struggles.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman defended his decision not to promote top outfield prospect Jasson Domínguez as Alex Verdugo struggles.
Cashman explained that he made his decision with the team’s postseason hopes in mind.
“It just comes down to what’s the best to help us win games?” According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post (via Brendan Kuty of The Athletic), Cashman said this. “It’s as simple as that.”
Cashman praised Domínguez for his performance, but also mentioned Verdugo’s recent improvements.
“Jasson is doing everything he needs to do right now, and Verdugo has been playing better baseball recently,” Cashman said, according the story. “The evaluations that we’re having with our field staff and player development staff, front office staff, is just what is going to give us the best chance to win.”
In 55 minor league games this season, Domínguez has 11 home runs, 34 RBI, and a.318 batting average. According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, Domínguez is the Yankees’ best prospect and ranked eighth overall in the outfield.
Verdugo has struggled in his first season with New York, with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, and a.235 batting average in 134 games. His play has recently improved, as he has hit.342 with a.796 OPS in his previous 11 games, which appears to be enough for Cashman to believe he is a better option for the rest of the season.
According to Kuty, Cashman considered promoting Domínguez before the season’s finish.
“Cashman added that the Yankees want Domínguez to continue to play every day and that the club could still change its mind and promote him, the report said,” according to Kuty. “That would indicate that if they promoted Domínguez now, they believe he wouldn’t be their best daily option.”
Despite Verdugo’s struggles this season, the Yankees have prospered and are almost certain to make the playoffs, barring a late-season collapse. New York is 80-60 this season and has traded places with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East in recent weeks.
The Orioles are now in first place, but the Yankees are only one game behind them and have plenty of opportunity to retake the top seed before the end of the season.
