Braves' offseason signing emerging as one of the best 'bargain' deals of the winter originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
During the offseason, many of the Atlanta Braves fans were worried about who the team would sign to command the shortstop position. So, not many batted an eye when the club signed Dominic Smith to a minor league deal.
He is not a headline player or one who was expected to do much for the MLB team. However, with Jurickson Profar's PED suspension, that has changed, giving Smith a sure look at MLB action this year.
After news of Profar got out, the Braves used the open roster spot on Smith, who has taken that in stride and has shown up tremendously for the team. They have gotten out to an MLB-best 18-8 start, and they are the only team that is starting to build some separation between them and the rest of the teams in their division.
MORE: Braves reporter sounds alarm on Reynaldo Lopez after disastrous outing as numbers collapse
Smith is currently being used in a DH role. He has played in 19 games so far, hitting .362/.387/.603 with four home runs and 17 runs batted in, and is on pace to shatter his single-season home run record of 12.
And when you look back at his one-year, $1.25 million contract, this has got to be one of the biggest bargains over the winter break, per Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter.
"If not for Jurickson Profar's 162-game PED suspension, Dominic Smith likely would not have earned a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, but it is quickly shaping up to be one of the best bargain signings of the offseason."
If Smith can keep this up, he could be setting himself up well when he returns to free agency next season. Sometimes, all a player needs is one more shot to turn things around, and Smith got just that.
Andy Pages emerges as a diamond in the rough for the powerful Dodgers offense
Former Yankees prospect is turning heads in his new role with the Angels
Marlins' Liam Hicks is making the most of his opportunity this season
Munetaka Murakami is not the only White Sox player trying to shine this season
A neglected bullpen is the only real weakness for the Yankees