The reigning American League champion New York Yankees will look different this season. Losing superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees moved quickly to allocate resources elsewhere, landing Max Fried, Cody Bellinger and others.
Led by 2024 unanimous American League MVP Aaron Judge, the Yankees remain one of the World Series favorites entering the new season, but will have to rely on some newcomers to reach that goal.
Among New York's offseason moves was a Minor League deal with first baseman Dominic Smith, the former Mets star who posted a .993 OPS in the shortened 2020 season.
After six seasons with the Mets to start his MLB career, Smith has spent the last two seasons between the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. Far from the player he once was, the 29-year-old left-hander posted just a .691 OPS in 307 plate appearances last season.
Now in Yankees camp, Smith is competing for an opening day roster spot. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed Smith has been getting outfield reps.
"The guy has been a really good hitter throughout his career, a pro hitter," Boone said of Smith. "We'll even probably try to get him out in the outfield a little bit, so we'll just see... I know he's worked a little but out there. I frankly haven't even seen it yet, but it will be something we talk about to get him in that mix to see if it's something we should have."
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 17, 2025Aaron Boone on if he is considering Dom Smith as a DH:
"The guys been a really good hitter throughout his career, a pro hitter. We'll even probably try to get him out in the outfield a little bit, so we'll just see." pic.twitter.com/dkv8AbUFVP
Smith last played outfield in 2021 with the Mets, which has Yankees fans reacting strongly to the news he is getting reps out there in spring training.
"This is embarrassing," one fan wrote.
"Had to double check if this was a parody account," a sarcastic fan added.
"Disaster," a fan put it simply.
"This definitely hurts," a fan wrote. "Dom Smith? Really?"
"That's the last person I want to see in the outfield on a lineup card when we have Judge, Dominguez, Cabrera, Bellinger, Grisham, and Pereira all as capable outfielders," a fan explained.
Jazz Chisholm and Dom Smith arrive for camp pic.twitter.com/sWILjfHLfY
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 17, 2025
Boone noted Smith will likely need something to happen in camp in order for a roster spot to open up for him, but the Yankees are confident he is a viable option in the event that takes place.
In 693 career games, Smith owns a 97 OPS+ and has played the vast majority of his defensive innings at first base.
