The New York Yankees have re-signed Dominic Smith to a minor league deal after he opted out when he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. Smith showed promise in spring training but has struggled in recent MLB seasons. Primarily a first baseman, he has limited outfield experience and defensive skills. Despite his recent performance, Smith has a history of strong offensive contributions. The Yankees’ decision to bring him back provides depth and potential relief with key players on the injured list.
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In a move that has garnered attention from baseball enthusiasts, the New York Yankees have re-signed first baseman and outfielder Dominic Smith to a minor league deal. This marks Smith’s return to the Yankees after he previously opted out when he didn’t secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Dominic Smith, aged 30, demonstrated a commendable performance during spring training, recording a .297 batting average with a .289 on-base percentage and a .568 slugging percentage in 38 plate appearances. However, his recent Major League Baseball (MLB) performance has been less impressive, and the path to regular playing time seemed limited.
Primarily a first baseman with some outfield experience, Smith hasn’t played in the outfield in the majors since 2021, and his defensive contributions there were not stellar. With Paul Goldschmidt firmly established at first base and the Yankees opting for Ben Rice as their designated hitter, Smith found himself without a clear role. The team’s bench spots were also filled by more defensively versatile players like Oswald Peraza and Pablo Reyes.
When Smith didn’t make the Opening Day roster, he opted out, likely to explore other opportunities. However, he has now returned to the Yankees as non-roster depth. Despite his recent struggles, Smith has a history of promise. As a former first-round pick and top prospect, he posted a .299/.366/.571 slash line in the majors over 2019 and 2020, translating to a 150 wRC+.
Unfortunately, his performance has dipped since then, with a combined .241/.311/.360 slash line from 2021 to 2024, resulting in an 87 wRC+. Given his limited defensive and baserunning contributions, his recent offensive shortcomings have led him to become a journeyman, playing for the Mets, Nationals, Red Sox, and Reds in recent years.
The Yankees’ decision to re-sign Smith is a strategic one. With key players like DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton currently on the injured list, having an experienced big leaguer like Smith in their system provides depth and potential relief if further injuries occur. The saying goes that there’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal, and the Yankees are likely hoping that Smith can find his form and contribute when called upon.
