The Yankees have added another piece of depth to their roster, re-signing a player on a minor league contract after he impressed during Spring Training. This player showcased his power, hitting three home runs, driving in 12 RBIs, and posting a .297 batting average. Although he opted out of his deal after not making the Opening Day roster, he is now back with the team and could get a chance in the majors if an injury opens a spot.
This 29-year-old veteran has eight years of MLB experience, with six of those seasons spent with the New York Mets. Last year, he played for the Red Sox and Reds, batting .233 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 93 games.
Smith adds depth for the Yankees
New York has a wealth of talent at first base, with Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger all capable of filling the position, which is also where this veteran naturally plays. With Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, Rice has stepped into the primary designated hitter role.
However, since both Smith and Rice are left-handed hitters, it may be challenging for Smith to find regular at-bats as the DH if Rice is in the lineup. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been experimenting with different lineups to provide variety when facing left-handed pitchers. While it is unlikely that Smith will see significant playing time on the major league roster, his addition offers critical depth in case his services are needed.
The Yankees recently completed a series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting 15 home runs and tying an MLB record for the most home runs in the first three games of a season. They now prepare for a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Tuesday.
