New York Mets: Three trade destinations for Dominic Smith
By David Hill
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.