The door just opened for either the Cleveland Guardians or Cincinnati Reds to add a high upside former star prospect for an affordable rate before Opening Day.
While the Guardians and Reds are not favorites to reach the World Series in the fall, there is excitement about both teams heading into the 2026 season. Cleveland again proved that, despite their financial limitations, they are one of the best-run organizations in MLB by winning the division title last season. While Cincy took another key step forward in their development by making the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
However, if there is one area the Ohio baseball teams would like to improve before the start of the season, it’s one of the corner outfield spots. Yet, despite the moves they made (or didn’t make) in the offseason, improving the outfield wasn’t part of it.
But an intriguing option should soon be available on the trade market. This week, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was asked about former top prospect Jasson Dominguez and his potential to make the roster without a clear path for him heading into spring training.
“I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” he said at the team’s Florida facility. “We’ll just have to wait and see how the spring shakes out, who’s standing, and then we’ll make the appropriate decisions when we have our meetings close to the end of camp.”
Should Guardians or Reds pursue Jasson Dominguez trade?
The NY Yankees are locked into a pricey outfield of MVP Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham. And Giancarlo Stanton is again expected to be the team’s starting DH. It puts the club in a position where they can just let the player who was ranked No. 1 in their system two years ago sit in the minors (again) or trade him.
Trading him would be the smart move. However, they won’t have much leverage in trade talks because they won’t use Dominguez in the majors, and his stock has declined after not living up to expectations during his opportunities so far in the big leagues.
A trade offers the Guardians or Reds the chance to get an intriguing option for the outfield, but not have to give up premium prospects in a deal. With the NY Yankees farm system weak at the moment, they would be open to taking lower-level youngsters in the hopes they can add depth and develop them into something more.
While Dominguez has not lived up to his projections as a star prospect, he still has a lot of potential. The Dominican is only 23 years old, has legitimate power from either side of the plate, underrated base-stealing skills (23 last season), and a rock-solid arm in the outfield. In a less pressurized situation in Cleveland or Cincinnati, it is very possible he flourishes in 2026 and can make an impact for either team and at a low cost.
