The New York Yankees, who were once uncertain about their first base situation after declining Anthony Rizzo’s 2025 option, now find themselves with an abundance of options. What started as a position of uncertainty has quickly turned into a luxury as the team weighs its choices.
This offseason, the Yankees made some big moves, signing former MVP Paul Goldschmidt, developing Ben Rice into a serious threat against right-handed pitchers, and bringing in Dom Smith on a minor league deal.
Now, all three players are making strong cases for spots on the Opening Day roster. Goldschmidt is a lock, while Rice, once a bit of a question mark, has proven his value and versatility. That leaves Dom Smith, who has done everything he can to force the Yankees’ hand.
Dom SmithSmith has been on fire in Grapefruit League play, posting a .297 batting average, three home runs, 12 RBIs, and an impressive .857 OPS. These are numbers that can’t be ignored and are making the front office reconsider its plans. Adding more pressure, Smith’s contract includes an opt-out clause that forces the Yankees to make a decision—if they don’t add him to the roster by the end of the day, he can explore other options.
Giancarlo Stanton’s injury complicates things further, as it leaves the Yankees without a set designated hitter. This opens up the possibility of using Smith as a backup first baseman and part-time DH, with Rice also sharing duties between first base and DH while stepping in as an emergency catcher.
However, both Smith and Rice are left-handed hitters, which creates challenges for a DH platoon. With the Yankees already lacking impact bats, letting a productive hitter like Smith walk due to handedness concerns could be a mistake.
The Yankees are expected to make their decision today, and the key question remains: can they afford to let a solid hitter slip away?
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