Former Red Sox First Baseman Signs With AL East Rival

With just under a month left until Red Sox pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training on February 12th, a former Red Sox is staying in the AL East, but this time wearing pinstripes for the New York Yankees.

Former Red Sox First Baseman Signs With AL East Rival

Former Red Sox first baseman Dominic Smith has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees after playing 84 games with Boston last season. Smith finds a new home after spending time with the Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds in 2024.

Smith stepped in for the Red Sox after Triston Casas suffered a rib injury last April and didn't return until mid-August. In 84 games with Boston, Smith hit 6 home runs with 34 RBIs and slashed .237/.317/.390 after spending the first seven years of his career with the Mets and Nationals. Smith was then DFA'd by Boston on August 16th when Casas was able to return to the lineup.

Six days after Boston let go of Smith, Cincinnati signed him. Smith appeared in nine games for the Reds where he struggled, batting .192 across 29 plate appearances. He was then sent down to the Reds Triple-A affiliate and didn't see a major league lineup the rest of the year.

Smith had his highs and lows in Boston when filling in for Casas, who is set to be the Red Sox first baseman this season even with his name coming up in trade rumors all offseason long.

With the Yankees adding experience at first base (Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger) this offseason after losing Juan Soto to free agency, Smith will likely start the season in the minor leagues. He remains a candidate to be called up if New York needs him, as he would bring a veteran presence to the Yankees and could serve as a hitter off the bench.

Dom Smith's best season came in 2020 for the Mets, when he had 10 home runs, 42 RBIs and slashed .316/.377/.616 across 199 plate appearances. He finished 13th in NL MVP voting that season.

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