The Atlanta Braves are making it a priority to add infield depth before spring training exhibition games get started this weekend. According to multiple reports, the Braves are signing former Mets first baseman Dominic Smith to a one-year minor league deal.
Dominic Smith appeared in 63 games last year with the San Francisco Giants and spent the first seven years of his career in the National League East. This is a good depth piece for Atlanta, but the need for another formidable arm remains.
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Braves Add Dominic Smith Ahead of Spring Training
With spring training exhibitions starting in less than a week, the Braves, like other MLB teams, are attempting to load up on bodies to get them through spring training.
Dom Smith has a chance to break camp with the big-league club, but he’ll need to be productive in the at-bats he’s given. Sitting at nine years played in MLB, Smith will be vying for his 10th year of service time and a lifetime pension.
GettyDominic Smith, right, talks with first base coach Tom Goodwin prior to a spring training game against the Houston Astros at Tradition Field on February 27 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
In the 63 games he appeared in last season, he hit .284 with five home runs and 58 hits. Even if Dominic Smith doesn’t break camp with Atlanta, there’s a good chance he will get at-bats at some point with the Braves this season, given the nature of a 162-game season.
Over six seasons with the Mets, Smith hit 46 home runs and drove in 179 runs. The Braves will be his sixth MLB organization.
The Braves have Matt Olson, who is pretty much a shoe-in to play every day at first base, but Smith will join a revolving cast of infielders with something to prove this spring.
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Should the Braves Make Any Other Moves?
This is a good depth signing for Atlanta, but the organization should still bring in another pitcher or two, specifically a starter.
Hurston Waldrep is dealing with elbow soreness and may miss some time, which highlights the sentiment that the Braves’ rotation continues to deal with injuries. Bryce Elder and Martin Perez will presumably fight for the fifth rotation spot, but if Atlanta continues to deal with injuries, the rotation will wear very thin, and the Braves will have to dip further into their organization for arms, which did not bode well for them last season.
Although it’s spring training, there is still time before the regular season for the Braves to bring in reinforcements. They might also want to explore a trade as well.
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Braves Add Former Mets First Baseman on Minor League Deal