At one point, Dominic Smith was seen as a future star in New York, but his time with the Mets didn’t live up to expectations. Now 29, Smith, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2013 draft, never met the promise many hoped for in Flushing. However, the Yankees believe he can still contribute in 2025.
According to the YES Network, Smith and the Yankees have agreed to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. This move serves as a cost-effective backup option at first base after the Yankees signed veteran former MVP Paul Goldschmidt to replace Anthony Rizzo.
At 37, Goldschmidt is coming off the worst season of his career, and the Yankees invested $12.5 million hoping for a rebound from the 2022 National League MVP. However, the team is preparing for all scenarios. Even if Goldschmidt performs well, the Yankees are committed to managing the workload of their aging players.

As a result, Goldschmidt will likely have more “rest” days than he did with St. Louis, where he averaged over 150 games per season in the past four years. This doesn’t guarantee Smith a spot on the major league roster, though.
Alongside Goldschmidt, the Yankees also have Ben Rice, a left-handed first baseman, on the 40-man roster. DJ LeMahieu can also play first base if not starting at third, and Oswaldo Cabrera has experience there as well.
Smith appeared in 93 games last season with the Reds and Red Sox, posting a .691 OPS. Over six seasons with the Mets, he slashed .246/.308/.424 with a .733 OPS, hitting 46 home runs in 447 games.
While primarily a first baseman, Smith was pushed into the outfield as Pete Alonso took over at first. He remains a solid defensive first baseman, making him a cost-effective backup option for the Yankees.