In a surprising turn of events, first baseman Dominic Smith has opted out of his minor league deal with the New York Yankees, according to reports from Robert Murray of FanSided. This decision comes after Smith was removed from today's lineup, signaling the team's intent not to add him to the 40-man roster before the deadline.

Smith's decision is part of a larger trend this weekend, as dozens of veterans are leveraging their opt-out clauses in their non-roster contracts. Although Smith boasts over six years of Major League Baseball service, he is not classified as an Article XX(b) free agent, which means he does not have standardized opt-out dates built into his contract. This unique situation stems from his missed time on a major league roster during the 2024 season.

Despite these challenges, the 29-year-old has demonstrated significant potential in spring training with the Yankees. He has logged 38 plate appearances, hitting an impressive .297 with three home runs and one double. Although he has not drawn a walk, his performance includes an extraordinary small-sample batting line of .297/.289/.568 due to one sacrifice fly.

With Giancarlo Stanton set to be sidelined with an injury, Smith's versatility could serve the Yankees well, possibly as a left-handed option off the bench or filling the designated hitter role. His competition includes fellow lefty Ben Rice, who is also making waves this spring with a .260/.339/.560 line, including five homers in 57 plate appearances. The Yankees will need to make roster decisions due to injuries affecting Stanton and DJ LeMahieu, but both players could find places on the team if healthy options are limited.

Smith, once a promising first-round pick and top prospect for the New York Mets, had his breakout seasons in 2019 and 2020 with impressive statistics of .299/.366/.571 over 139 games. However, his struggles began in 2021 after revealing he played much of the season with a labrum tear in his right shoulder. This injury affected his offensive output, leading to a cumulative batting line of .241/.311/.360 over the past four years.

As Smith moves forward, speculation arises regarding his future in the league, particularly with the Yankees' roster decisions looming. Notably, Smith is not the only veteran making moves; right-hander Carlos Carrasco is also expected to make a 40-man roster push, adding further intrigue to this pivotal moment in MLB Spring Training.

With Dominic Smith's talent and determination to reclaim a stable position in the league, this opt-out may open new doors for his career. What comes next for him remains to be seen, but fans are certainly in for an exciting season ahead!