New York Yankees fans may not be overjoyed with the team’s latest offseason signing but Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is clearly pleased. According to the YES Network, the Yankees signed a minor league deal with former Mets’ top prospect, Dominic Smith.
Smith is hardly anything to get excited about for a fan base still reeling from top free agents Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki shunning the Yankees.
But Chisholm took to social media to show that he was certainly happy about it.
A grinning Chisholm posted a video of his workout partner on his Instagram stories – a smiling Dominic Smith. SNY caught the video and posted it on X.com.
The Yankees infielder has previously referred to Smith as a “big brother” and said the former Mets, Red Sox, and Reds first baseman was one of the players who looked out for him when he was younger.
Smith played in 93 games in the majors last season, split between the Reds and Red Sox. He had a .691 OPS.
The 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Smith never lived up to those expectations with the Mets. In six seasons with the Mets, Smith slashed .246/.308.424 with a .733 OPS. He hit 46 home runs in 447 games.
Smith played most of his career at first base, but when Pete Alonso arrived, he was forced to play the outfield at the end of his time in Flushing. He is still considered a serviceable defensive first baseman and a professional hitter, though he never developed the power that he was projected to.
The Yankees are looking at Smith as an inexpensive insurance policy for an aging Paul Goldschmidt at first base, but he will have a hard time cracking the major league roster. The Yankees already have lefty-hitting Ben Rice on the roster, and DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera both play first as well.
However, Smith will be a friendly face for Chisholm when they report to Tampa. It will be Chisholm’s first time in Yankees spring training. He was acquired from the Marlins at the deadline last season.
