Cody Bellinger-Jasson Dominguez platoon could spark Yankees' offense

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger is one of the most significant problems in the Bombers’ lineup. He’s weakly slashing .204/.281/.357, effectively killing rallies in the middle of the order. But a dip into his splits shows there’s a possible temporary fix.

The lefty swinging Bellinger is killing southpaws, putting up a .931 OPS against them, compared to a .557 OPS versus right-handed hurlers. Meanwhile, switch-hitting outfielder Jasson Dominguez is crushing righties (.316/.381/.491 with two homers and four doubles) and slumping against lefties (.086/.220/.171 with no homers and three doubles).

Platooning Bellinger and Dominguez — for now — makes sense. On paper, the Yankees will get an offensive boost if their two outfielders mirror each other.

It’s not a permanent solution. Bellinger could progress to his mean, which is incredibly balanced for his career: .257/.338/.491 against righties, .258/.322/.459 against lefties. And even if the Yankees only play him against lefty starters, he’ll get chances against righty relievers to show that he’s back to his even splits. If he does that, he should be back in the lineup daily.

The Yankees can take more time with Dominguez. He can play winter ball in the offseason and work on his righty swing. And if he starts hitting lefties this year, he can take over left field permanently when Trent Grisham inevitably regresses to his mean (.216/.315/.393 for his career).

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has already dropped Bellinger in the lineup, but chances are the skipper would never even consider platooning him with Dominguez in this manner. Bellinger is paid to be a starter, and forcing him to only play against lefties would rightly anger him. But perhaps a good feather ruffling is the push he needs to get back on track.