The New York Yankees enhanced their roster on Monday, signing Dominic Smith to a minor league contract, as reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network.
Smith, who plays both first baseman and outfielder, competed for the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds during the previous season. Over 93 games, he recorded a slash line of .233/.313/.378 with six homers. The Red Sox released him on August 20, and he subsequently joined Cincinnati, where he appeared in only nine games before being designated for assignment by the Reds.
Throughout the majority of his career, Smith has been associated with the New York Mets, in addition to having a stint with the Washington Nationals.
The 29-year-old is primarily recognized for his tenure in Flushing. He debuted in 2017 and remained with the Mets until 2022. Smith’s standout season occurred during the COVID-shortened 2020 year, where he played 50 games, boasting a batting average of .316 and a .993 OPS along with 10 home runs.
However, he was unable to maintain that level of consistent output, as his performance declined following that season. The former No. 11 overall selection participated in 145 games the following year, achieving only a .667 OPS. He signed as a free agent with the Nationals in 2023, where he operated at a replacement level for 153 games before transitioning last season.
Dominic Smith provides the Yankees with added flexibility in revamped lineup
Smith may not be the kind of high-profile signing that Yankees enthusiasts are used to, but he represents the type of acquisition that teams require to supplement a star-filled roster.
New York has already inked deals with Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Paul Goldschmidt, either through trades or free agency, as they seek to compensate for the departure of Juan Soto and aim for a return to the World Series.
With Smith, they gain a player capable of filling the first base position and providing relief to the 37-year-old Goldschmidt when necessary. Additionally, he can occupy the left field position as the Yankees search for further roster depth beyond projected fourth outfielder Trent Grisham.
As Spring Training approaches, the Yankees’ roster is likely nearing its finalization. The remaining significant area of concern is at second base, where New York must address the void left by Gleyber Torres after his departure in free agency. Caleb Durbin was expected to assume that role, but he was traded to Milwaukee as part of the Williams deal. The frequently injured and aging DJ LeMahieu will have the opportunity to demonstrate that he still possesses valuable skills, yet if the Yankees refrain from additional moves, that position may fall to him along with a mix of Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera.
Image Source: Dominic Smith @ Instagram
