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MLBFeature
Braves' offseason signing emerging as one of the best 'bargain' deals of the winter
TL;DR
The Atlanta Braves signed Dominic Smith to a minor league deal, which is now seen as one of the best offseason bargains. With Jurickson Profar's suspension, Smith has stepped up and contributed to the team's strong start.
Key points
- Dominic Smith signed to a minor league deal by the Braves
- Jurickson Profar's PED suspension opened a roster spot
- Braves have an MLB-best 18-8 start this season
Atlanta BravesDominic SmithJurickson Profar
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.
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Braves' offseason signing emerging as one of the best 'bargain' deals of the winter
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.
Q&A
Why is Dominic Smith considered a bargain signing for the Braves?
Dominic Smith is viewed as a bargain signing due to his unexpected performance following Jurickson Profar's suspension, which allowed him to secure a spot on the MLB roster.
What impact has Jurickson Profar's suspension had on the Braves?
Profar's suspension opened a roster spot for Dominic Smith, who has since made significant contributions to the Braves' strong start to the season.
How have the Braves performed since signing Dominic Smith?
Since signing Dominic Smith, the Braves have achieved an MLB-best 18-8 record, indicating a strong start to the season.
