The Boston Red Sox are seeing improvements in their health, and their lineup is looking as strong as it has all season. However, this improvement meant making a tough choice.
When Triston Casas came off the injured list on Friday, the Red Sox had to release Dominic Smith, who had been the primary first baseman for the team during Casas’ four-month absence due to a rib injury.
Smith quickly became a fan favorite with the Red Sox, contributing unexpectedly at the plate and even pitching three scoreless innings in games where Boston was significantly behind.
Now, Smith is moving to a team where he might secure more consistent playing time, which Red Sox fans will appreciate for a player who gave his all during his brief stint in Boston.
ESPN reporter Jeff Passan shared on X that Smith is joining the Cincinnati Reds to assist with their playoff push.
“First baseman Dominic Smith is signing a major league deal with the Cincinnati Reds, sources tell ESPN,” Passan reported. The Reds deal is pending a physical.”
At 29, Smith was designated for assignment on Friday to accommodate Casas, who has since started every game at first base. After being granted his release on Tuesday, Smith was free to sign with any team for the remainder of the season.
Smith played 83 games for the Red Sox this season, with a .237/.317/.390 slash line. Although he had a slow start, he performed well throughout the summer, posting a .776 OPS from June 1 onward and even hitting six extra-base hits in five games from July 29 to August 4.
Smith bid farewell to Boston with an Instagram post featuring photos from his time with the Red Sox and a heart-shaped hand emoji.
However, he is now moving on as an opposing player looking to advance his career.
As the Red Sox head into the offseason, a critical question looms: Should they re-sign Kenley Jansen?
Jansen, who will be 38 by the 2025 playoffs (which Boston hopes to reach), presents a dilemma for the team. Craig Breslow, the Red Sox’s chief baseball officer, must decide whether to retain Jansen, especially with potentially younger, viable closer options available.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report highlighted Jansen’s free agency as the key offseason decision for the Red Sox in a recent article titled “Looking Ahead to Every MLB Team’s Biggest Offseason Decision.”
Reuter noted, “The Red Sox bullpen is currently 27th in the majors with a 4.47 ERA. Key figures like closer Kenley Jansen, setup man Chris Martin, and deadline acquisitions Lucas Sims and Luis García are all headed for free agency this offseason.”
Jansen, 36, has a 2.84 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 10.8 K/9 in 43 appearances this season. Currently in the second year of a two-year, $32 million deal, Jansen will likely command a similar contract this winter.
Breslow will need to carefully weigh Jansen’s health and market value as he plans for the team’s future.
