YANKEES GET THEIR BIG SPRING GUY BACK FOR A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

Oh, Dom Smith is back! And honestly, I couldn’t be happier. 

The guy had a fantastic spring, and while it’s a bummer he didn’t break camp with the big-league squad, there’s no doubt he’ll contribute at some point this season.

For those who might’ve lost track of him, Dominic Smith was once a top prospect with the Mets before bouncing around with the Nationals, Red Sox, and Reds. Looking to reignite his career, he signed with the Yankees this spring and absolutely mashed—smacking three homers, driving in 12 runs, and hitting .297. Despite that strong showing, he didn’t make the Opening Day roster and opted out of his deal. But now? He’s back in the organization, and if an opportunity opens up, don’t be surprised if he gets his shot in the Bronx.

Welcome back, Dom.

CASHMAN'S ABOUT TO SHIP OUT PERAZA

Oswald Peraza is giving everything he has, and for that, he deserves our respect. Sure, he's stumbled, but he’s a hard-working, dependable player and—dare I say it—a better defensive shortstop than Anthony Volpe. But let’s be real, that doesn’t matter to the Yankees. Peraza doesn’t have the "face," he’s not the marketable golden boy they want, and that’s why his ticket out of town is practically stamped. How do I know? Because Brian Cashman drops breadcrumbs, and they’re the poisonous kind.

Cashman recently said Peraza is having a "good camp" in his eyes and admitted that the former top prospect is still in the mix to make the team. But then, when asked about Pablo Reyes, Cashman called the utility man the "predominant" right-handed bat. Translation: Peraza is already a number 2 guy on the depth chart, which is as good as a pink slip in this organization.

And right on cue, the Yankees trotted out the puppet of puppets, Aaron "No Championships" Boone, to reinforce the message. Boone, doing his best parrot impersonation, said of Peraza: “Struggled a little bit over the last week or two offensively after a good start [to camp] offensively. I think he’s been really good defensively. I’ve loved how he’s looked at third ... but it’s been up and down a little bit offensively."

You know who else is "up and down" offensively? Anthony Volpe. The golden boy batted .208 this spring in 17 games. Peraza? .174 in 19 games. Both are putting up Joey Gallo numbers, so what exactly is Boone’s point? At this stage, it’s a roll of the dice if we were choosing between those 2, but the Yankees have already decided who gets the benefit of the doubt. Spoiler alert: it’s not Peraza. Just like poor Dominic Smith, Peraza is spinning his wheels in a game that’s already been decided. Smith opted out, got the hell out of there... he knew the writing was on the wall. 

So, what happens now between Reyes and Peraza? The Yankees will pretend to let it play out, but the reality is, they’ve picked their guy. And it’s Reyes—I can feel it. If the final decision is between those two, Peraza is in trouble.

Look, I don’t want to prematurely ship Peraza off—he’s my guy. But much like Gleyber Torres before him, the Yankees hold certain players to a standard of perfection while letting others skate by because their minds are already made up. Reyes this Spring is the better player this is true, but Peraza has enormous heart and can get there. 

The truth? Peraza, the player with no options left, is probably gone. And when he succeeds elsewhere, just remember it didn’t have to be this way.

THE YANKEES PROPPED UP ESCARRA TO DISTRACT FROM THEIR BROKEN-DOWN TEAM

Let’s cut the nonsense. J.C. Escarra making the Yankees is a great personal story, but the Yankees turning it into a full-blown reality show moment? Over it. Done. Move on. The hidden camera stunt? Cringe. Just let the guy have his moment, put on the gear, and play baseball.

But let’s be real here—Dominic Smith clearly didn't have a “sexy” story for the Yankees taste, read HERE. He wasn’t an ex-hairdresser, Uber driver, or grocery bagger. He was an eight-year MLB veteran trying to crack a Yankees roster already clogged with Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger. It wasn’t happening no matter how good his spring was. The Yankees were going to make him run in circles before eventually pushing him out. "Logjam", you see.

But Escarra? Now that’s a marketable backstory. Thirty years old, once driving Uber, now backup catcher for the Yankees. Wells is there and Ben Rice is still here too, because apparently, he can be in two places at once. But why did Smith have to go while we welcome Escarra like he’s the second coming? Because the story plays better. The Yankees love a good PR moment to distract us fans.

From Uber driver to substitute teacher to the Yankees in 2025.

J.C. Escarra’s journey continues in the Bronx 💙 pic.twitter.com/9Nk7wbwqlW

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 22, 2025

They’ll set up a “hidden” camera, get a “genuine” reaction, and push it out like it’s some groundbreaking sports documentary.

Here’s a thought—just stop. 

The Yankees treat fans like we’re idiots, constantly tossing us distractions instead of addressing actual problems. And let’s talk about that “hidden camera” angle. Not to be that guy, but recording someone without their permission? Yeah, that can be a third-degree felony in Florida. So, was it even hidden? Or just another staged moment to make us all go, “Aww, look how wholesome the Yankees are.”

The real issue? This team is broken. The rotation is a mess. The injury list is overflowing. 

We need a third baseman, not an Uber driver—no offense to Escarra, who’s obviously put in the work. But the over-the-top narrative? Exhausting. Baseball is tough. Life is tough. Everyone’s grinding. Why are we acting like working multiple jobs while chasing a dream is some unheard-of phenomenon? That’s called being an adult.

Let the guy play baseball. 

Stop making it a spectacle. The Yankees have real issues to fix, and this feel-good fluff piece isn’t covering them up. It was orchestrated by the Yankees and hyped by Joel Sherman, who started building this up a month ago simply tweeting:

"Not long ago J.C. Escarra was an Uber driver, a substitute teacher and a Gastonia Honey Hunter. This spring he just might make the Yankees.”

Now here we are, knee-deep in a manufactured storyline while the team desperately needs actual help.

Happy for Escarra, but enough with the distractions. 

Let’s get back to business.  Now I know ya'll are going to look at this and say that I've lost my mind, are insensitive and are heartless. I'm not.  What I am is honest.  No one is going to say this about this Yankees team... but I am happy to.  

Fix what needs to be fixed. Then let's celebrate the moments.

A GOOD, CLEAN "TRYOUT" GETS YOU NOTHING WITH THE YANKEES

This is the fundamental problem with the New York Yankees. Every offseason, they bring in new signings while also having players who are legitimately talented, hungry, and eager to prove themselves. And here’s the kicker—they actually earn it. They have the credentials, they showcase their skills, and they perform in spring training. But when all is said and done, they don’t get the opportunity they’ve worked for.

At the simplest level, it’s like a tryout that was never real to begin with. The Yankees already have their roster filled with big contracts and established names, leaving no room for guys who actually deserve a shot. The result? Players who put in the work and earn their keep in spring training end up with nothing. It’s a cycle of wasted effort and frustration.

Enter Dominic Smith. He may not be a household name, but this spring, he absolutely delivered. And how did the Yankees reward him? They didn’t. Not because he lacked talent, not because he didn’t fit, but simply because they had too many expensive contracts they were obligated to play—regardless of performance. Sure there's a logjam at first base, but logic would tell you that if players do well, players deserve their shot.  Now everyone is gonna say to me, "Well, they have Goldschmidt and Rice, and Rice has been raking." Yea, well, I'm just saying, there's always a way.

Smith should have been on the Yankees' roster. Instead, he recognized his worth and took control of his future. He opted out of his minor league deal with the Yankees after not being added to the 40-man roster, a move that might actually benefit him. With the way he played this spring, there’s a strong chance another team gives him the opportunity the Yankees refused.

His spring training numbers speak for themselves: a .294 batting average, a .588 slugging percentage, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in just 12 games. There’s no question he earned a spot, and I hope another AL East team picks him up and he has a monster season.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t think much of Smith when the Yankees first brought him in. But I respect the underdog, and he proved himself. Whether he stays in Triple-A with the Yankees, which he still can, or finds a better opportunity elsewhere, one thing is clear: the Yankees aren't a serious franchise.

WILL DOMINIC SMITH HELP THE YANKEES?

Source: NY Post

As you know, the Yankees continue to add depth to their team as spring training 2025 approaches. According to the New York Post and Bleeding Yankee Blue just 12 hours ago (Read THE YANKEES JUST SIGNED ANOTHER FIRST BASEMAN), the team signed former Met and Red Sox Dominic Smith to a minor league deal. The lefty can play the outfield and platoon with newly signed Paul Goldschmidt. So just like that, Dom Smith is a Yankee. 

According to Athlon Sports, "New York Yankees fans may not be overjoyed with the team’s latest offseason signing but Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is clearly pleased." The Yankees infielder posted a video showing his excitement for Smith coming to the Yankees. Chisholm "has previously referred to Smith as a “big brother” and said the former Mets, Red Sox, and Reds first baseman was one of the players who looked out for him when he was younger."

Source: Forbes 

What this trade does is give the Yankees just a notch more, even though we as fans likely don't see it right now. He's come into games for the Mets and just been explosive. And hopefully he does that for their minor league team and eventually makes his way up to the Bronx.

Many call Smith a safety net, perhaps behind Goldschmidt who is a 37-year-old veteran and as a platooning outfielder, particularly as the season progresses. "For the Yankees, Smith represents a reliable, low-risk option. He won’t push Goldschmidt for playing time, but in a season where depth often decides success, having someone like Smith stashed away could make a difference. Injuries and inconsistencies happen over the course of a long season, and Smith has shown he can handle the pressure when called upon," reports Empire Sports Media. 

So, you might not be excited. And you might not care all that much. Yet, the Yankees made a good deal at a low price. Smith could pay dividends in 2025. And overall, he could make a big difference down the stretch. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKEES JUST SIGNED ANOTHER FIRST BASEMAN

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, they've snagged Dominic Smith on a minor-league deal. It's like picking up a lottery ticket—maybe you'll hit the jackpot today, or maybe you'll just get a free coffee.

This move adds another layer of "just in case" to a team having a splash this offseason to build a championship roster. Smith brings just enough to back up Goldschmidt...assuming Smith comes up.

So, I guess the idea of bringing back Anthony Rizzo in a backup/bench role on a one-year deal? Yeah, that feels like a dream that officially bit the dust. Too bad—Rizzo could’ve been the ultimate dugout cheerleader.

Smith spent last season hopping between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds, racking up 93 games with some solidly "meh" stats: a .233 average, 6 homers, and 34 RBIs. Respectable? Sure. Spectacular? Not really. But hey, we’ll take him for a minor league deal! 

Welcome aboard, Dominic!

ADRIAN GONZALEZ SIGNS... WITH THE METS?

I didn't see this one coming, but then again, I'm not sure the Mets did either.

Adrian Gonzalez has left the Dodgers... and signed with Mets!

ESPN writes:

"Adrian Gonzalez has agreed to a deal with the New York Mets pending a physical, according to ESPN and multiple reports... Gonzalez gives the Mets a veteran presence at first base, where Lucas Duda and Dominic Smith mainly played for them last season. Duda was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the season, and Smith, 22, struggled offensively, batting just .198."

Hey, good for the Mets, although you gotta wonder what Gonzalez can really offer at this point.  He is definitely ending the end of his career. You gotta wonder what Mets fans this about this.

Good luck on this one.