Ex-Red Sox Infielder Reportedly Agrees To Minor League Deal With Rival Yankees
The New York Yankees are well stocked at first base for the upcoming season.
But that didn’t stop them from adding some depth to the position in the form of an ex-Boston Red Sox infielder.
The Yankees agreed to a minor league deal with Dominic Smith on Monday, according to YES Network’s Jack Curry. It’s unclear if Smith got an invite to spring training.
Smith made a mark in just 84 games with the Red Sox last season before being designated for assignment in mid-August. The 29-year-old then finished out the campaign with the Cincinnati Reds and elected free agency this offseason.
Smith signed with the Red Sox in May of last year with Boston in need of a first baseman due to an injury to Tristan Casas, which kept him on the shelf for months. Smith filled in admirably and batted .237 with six home runs and 34 RBIs. He also found himself on the mound in three lopsided games to save Boston’s bullpen and didn’t allow a run.
But Casas’ return proved to be the end of Smith’s time with the Red Sox. The Yankees are now the fifth organization he has joined in his eight-year MLB career.
New York already signed Paul Goldschmidt this offseason to replace Anthony Rizzo at first base while Ben Rice can also play the corner infield position. It’s also a spot DJ LeMahieu can take up as well when needed.
That creates quite the ladder for Smith to climb to get playing time in pinstripes.