Reds set to sign major league deal with former NY Mets and Red Sox 1B Dominic Smith: Reports
Former New York Mets slugger Dominic Smith's stint with the Boston Red Sox ended earlier this week. The club designated him for assignment and released him on Tuesday.
However, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Smith will not be without a team for long as the Cincinnati Reds are signing him. He should slot in nicely alongside Ty France, whom the club picked up during the trade deadline.
First base has been an area of need for Cincinnati lately. Jeimer Candelario has been on the IL with a toe fracture, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been out due to wrist surgery.
There is no telling if France or Smith will emerge as the starter, but they could flip-flop the two between first and DH. They also have the option of platooning the duo.
Is Dominic Smith enough to push the Reds to the postseason?
Adding Dominic Smith gives the Reds another option at first base and some decent power. Through 83 games this year, he has hit .237/.317/.390 with six home runs and 34 runs batted in. While not a star-studded bat, it can produce.
Cincinnati could use all the help they can the rest of the way out. They hold a 62-65 record, placing them fourth in the National League Central, but have a wild card spot within reach. They are just 5.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves who hold the final NL wild card spot.
Cincinnati must buckle down if they want to move up the standings and be considered real contenders. They do not have the easiest schedule to close the regular season, but it is also not the toughest. They have some division series that will test them and a tough series against the red-hot Cleveland Guardians in September.