The New York Yankees should still add another bat to this lineup.

In a fiery exchange that Yankees fans have been waiting for, manager Aaron Boone finally addressed head-on the persistent rumors that he’s simply a front-office puppet who doesn’t make his own in-game decisions.

“Goldschmidt’s return guarantees (if everyone stays healthy by the start of the year) that either Jasson Domínguez or Oswaldo Cabrera will begin the season in AAA or get moved,” The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner reported. “Four bench spots, three are locked in: Rosario, Goldschmidt, (JC) Escarra.”

Sending a one-time starter down to Triple-A to begin the season may be a possibility for the New York Yankees.

The Yankees have made a habit of inviting top prospects to big league camp in recent years, and 2026 is no different. The club’s new cohort of non-roster Spring Training invitees features each of New York’s top two prospects in George Lombard Jr.

The New York Yankees are an obvious potential fit for their own free-agent first baseman, but the San Diego Padres are a threat.

Two teams with a long history, the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, are the top favorites in the American League, and a playoff clash between them in October would be incredible

Unlike Dominguez, who is built like a fire hydrant at 5-foot-9, Jones is a towering 6-foot-7 and could certainly cover more ground out in spacious Yankee Stadium left field than Dominguez, who had trouble with the easiest defensive tasks last season.

The Philadelphia Phillies were able to retain veteran pitcher Lou Trivino after he spent a few months in free agency.