New York Mets: Three trade destinations for Dominic Smith
Once upon a time, Dominic Smith was supposed to be the New York Mets first baseman of the future. It is now time for him to find a new home.
Not that long ago, Dominic Smith was seen as part of the future for the New York Mets. He was a consensus top 100 prospect, the type of offensive threat that one wants at first. With is power bat, excellent batting eye, and ability to hit for average, he was expected to be a key piece for the Mets moving forward.
Instead, that future never materialized for Smith. He struggled in his brief trial in 2017, and was unable to seize the job the following year. With the emergence of Pete Alonso as a possible superstar, Smith has been relegated to a backup and pinch hitter, getting the occasional look in left.
Just 24 years old, there is still plenty of time for Smith to become the player he was expected to be. The problem is, there is no room for him on the Mets. Not only does Alonso block him from consistent playing time at first, but the Mets are set in the corners of their outfield with Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. He needs a fresh start someplace else.
Which teams would make sense as a possible trade destination for Dominic Smith? Let’s take a look at three possible places the New York Mets can send their one time top prospect.
Seattle Mariners
Early in Brodie Van Wagenen’s tenure as the New York Mets general manager, he was seemingly determined to make a splash at every turn. One of those moves involved the Seattle Mariners, as he acquired Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz in a trade that could become one of the more infamous deals in Mets history.
However, it could make sense to pick up the phone and contact Jerry Dipoto once again. First base has been a black hole for the franchise beyond the past decade, dating back to when Richie Sexson‘s productivity fell off a cliff. Edwin Encarnacion had been the Mariners’ best first baseman of the past decade, and he played a total of 65 games with the team.
Nominally, the Mariners have a first baseman in Dan Vogelbach. However, he profiles better as a designated hitter, having cost the Mariners seven runs at first despite playing just 85 games at the position. Vogelbach has not exactly proven himself with the bat either, with a lifetime .205/.332/.413 batting line, hitting 34 homers and 20 doubles in 704 plate appearances.
Smith has not exactly been much better, posting a career .236/.295/.450 batting line with 25 homers and 27 doubles in 529 plate appearances. His defense at first has been somewhat questionable as well. However, he is the perfect player for the Mariners to target; a former top prospect who may be at the nadir of his value. As Dipoto looks to remake the Mariners once again, a player like Smith could be a building block.
The Seattle Mariners could use an actual first baseman. Dominic Smith could be the answer.
Minnesota Twins
For a team with postseason aspirations and high hopes for free agency, this offseason has been a disappointment for the Minnesota Twins.
First, they looked to add a top of the rotation starter. Instead, they were rebuffed at every turn, ultimately bringing back Michael Pineda and signing the duo of Rich Hill and Homer Bailey. Then, they turned their attention to Josh Donaldson, with the idea of moving Miguel Sano to first. However, Donaldson may have the contract he wants from Atlanta, as he has dragged his feet about picking a destination.
Instead of expending those financial resources to an aging Donaldson, the Twins could look to make other moves. Adding a player like Dominic Smith could make sense, allowing Minnesota to put money towards extending their young core. Likewise, if Smith becomes the player he was expected to be, he could be a key piece of that future.
First base is definitely unsettled in Minnesota. Last year’s starter, C.J. Cron, signed with the Tigers. Marwin Gonzalez currently sits atop their depth chart, but is better served as a super utility player. The options behind Gonzalez are hardly inspiring either, with a pair of utility players in Willians Astudillo and Ehire Adrianza.
If the Minnesota Twins are unable to land Josh Donaldson, Dominic Smith could be an answer. He would certainly cost a lot less in terms of resources.
Washington Nationals
As unlikely as it may be, the New York Mets could look within their division to deal Dominic Smith.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Both the Mets and the Washington Nationals have designs on the NL East title, and the Nationals are coming off of their first championship. However, the two teams have gotten together before on deals, although none of those have been major moves. In fact, their last trade on March 30, 2015, involved Matt Van Dekker being sent to Washington for Jerry Blevins.
Obviously, a deal involving Dominic Smith would be a much bigger deal than the acquisition of Blevins. And, the Nationals would presumably have to pay a bit of a premium, considering that a controllable asset was being sent in division.
And yet, such a deal could be worth it to the Nationals. At this point, Howie Kendrick is atop their depth chart at first, and is another player better suited to a utility role. It is possible that Ryan Zimmerman returns as well, but he has not exactly been a paragon of health in recent years.
Next. Mets improving with eye on future. dark
The Washington Nationals could use a first baseman. It may be worth picking up the phone and chatting with a division rival.