Yankees playing with their World Series dreams by not promoting Jasson Domínguez

NEW YORK — The Yankees' announcement for their September call-ups arrived at 10:21 a.m. local time on Sunday. Not wasting a moment, reporters and thousands of fans alike scanned the listed names, looking for one Jasson Domínguez, the prospect in the minor leagues who could perhaps make the most impact for a playoff contender. He wasn't listed. We looked again, this time closer. Still not there. 

Huh?

The Yankees opted to call up light-hitting speedster and outfielder Duke Ellis over the slugging Domínguez, who will remain at Triple-A where he's batting .306 with a .828 OPS, five home runs and 14 stolen bases across 37 games this year. Domínguez has been heating up since returning from an oblique injury, batting .359 with three home runs over the past two weeks for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The decision to leave the switch-hitting outfielder in the minor leagues is an organizational mistake that doesn't just anger the fan base but insults those expecting the Yankees to do one simple thing: field the best team possible. Sunday's announcement — or lack thereof — broadcasts that the Yankees are not, in fact, doing what's necessary to win. In a consequential year that requires cutthroat decision-making and an all-in mentality, the Yankees have decided to tread lightly and play it safe.

What excuses could there possibly be for not calling up Domínguez? Not any good ones.

First, there is the Alex Verdugo situation and the Yankees' appetite to protect his feelings. Verdugo's 83 wRC+ entering Sunday ranked last among all major-league left fielders and second-worst among outfielders with a minimum of 400 plate appearances this year. Since June 1, Verdugo's .273 on-base percentage ranks 136th among 146 qualified MLB hitters. He has