The New York Yankees have made a move to bolster their infield depth by signing free agent infielder Kevin Smith. The 27-year-old native of East Greenbush, New York, announced the news on social media by sharing a childhood photo of himself in a Yankees uniform, captioned “Headed Home for 2024.” This confirmation comes after The New York Post reported that the Yankees and Smith had reached an agreement.
Smith brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent parts of three seasons in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics. In 2023, he played 49 games for the A’s, hitting .185 with five home runs and 11 RBIs.
His performance at the Triple-A level has been impressive, boasting a .286 batting average, 50 home runs, and 164 RBIs across 222 games.
Throughout his career, Smith has primarily played third base and shortstop, offering versatility to the Yankees’ infield. Despite his underwhelming offensive performance at the major league level, Smith’s defensive prowess and ability to drive in runs make him a valuable addition to the team.
The Yankees are likely hoping that Smith can tap into his power at the major league level, having shown promise at Triple-A. This move shores up the team’s infield depth, providing a multi-use option in case of injury.