Jasson Dominguez's number change proves Yankees are finally getting serious

Often inexplicably forgotten in the shuffle, New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez could go a long way toward erasing Juan Soto's one-year legacy in 2025.

It's easy to be distracted by flashy imports and massive shakeups. It's easy to be "prospect fatigued" by hearing Dominguez's name in Top 100 lists for the sixth straight year. But Dominguez, still just 22 years old, has progressed almost exactly the way the Yankees hoped he would, even if the masses were expecting Mickey Mantle by now. He had as strong of a September debut in 2023 as anyone could've dreamed of.

Of course, in true Yankees fashion, it ended abruptly after eight games and four bombs. The culprit? Position Player Tommy John, which almost never happens, but has somehow happened five times to the Yankees since 2017 (Gleyber, Aaron Hicks, Didi, Martian, Everson Pereira). That led to a stop-and-start 2024 season after intensive recovery, during which Dominguez suffered an oblique issue and could not find a big-league lane.

If it's dimmed his star somewhat, that's through no fault of his own; the Yankees had to account for a devastating injury last winter, then couldn't justify upsetting the apple cart. Surely, the goal was to get Dominguez out of his No. 89 debut jersey last winter, then move forward with him as the third piece in an All-Star outfield alongside Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Things look different once again in that respect entering 2025, but at least the Yankees have given us a clear indication that we shouldn't overlook Dominguez. He'll be wearing Robinson Cano's No. 24 (also Alex Verdugo's, notably), stepping officially into the everyday role he was made for.

Yankees' Jasson Dominguez changes jersey numbers to No. 24 ahead of 2025 season

It's an odd rite of passage, but certainly a notable one. Hopefully, it doesn't remind us of the '24 season every time Dominguez strides to the plate or tracks a fly ball in left.

That's a position he struggled to handle last September, of course, but now, the gloves are off. If he can play center competently — and we believe he can — then a tough left field should be a manageable challenge, too.

As silly as it sounds, a formal number change is the first indication we've gotten this offseason that the Yankees believe he can make it work, too.