Is Matt Dominguez on the trading block?

MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons says the Astros are still listening to trade offers for any veteran players. Gammons went on to say that multiple teams, including the Yankees, had inquired about Matt Dominguez.

I’m not sure exactly sure where Gammons is getting his information, but I don’t see the Astros trading the young third-baseman. Dominguez, a solid defender, showed power potential by blasting 21 homeruns in his first full season in the big leagues. I think the Astros are depending on Matt to hold down the hot corner for at least the next couple of years.

Although the Astros farm system is deep, the third-base position isn’t exactly stacked with high level prospects. Rio Ruiz may be the third-baseman of the future, but he is still only one year removed from high school. Jonathan Meyer, the likely starter at AAA this season, was just reassigned to minor league camp this morning.

That leaves Marwin Gonzalez, Cesar Izturis, and Gregorio Petit as the only other options should Dominguez be dealt. Although those three gentlemen are all adequate backups and utility players, I don’t think the Astros want to go into the season with one of them starting at third-base.

Dominguez is only 24-years old and already head and shoulders ahead of any other potential third-baseman on the Astros roster — both offensively and defensively. I can certainly understand why other teams would be inquiring about him and, yes, the Astros will always listen to offers. But I would be shocked if Jeff Luhnow and company decided to part with Dominguez any time soon.

Matt Dominguez (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

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