Plenty went wrong for the Mets in 2019, their third straight season without a playoff berth, but the oft-maligned franchise nonetheless turned in a fairly respectable campaign. They got off the mat after an awful start to win 86 games, right-hander Jacob deGrom won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award, and slugging first baseman Pete Alonso burst on the scene to mash 53 home runs en route to NL Rookie of the Year honors. Aside from Alonso, there were other legitimately encouraging developments among the Mets’ position player group, including the performance of fellow first baseman Dominic Smith.
It appeared entering the season that Smith was teetering on the brink of irrelevance, even though he wasn’t far removed from his days as a touted prospect. The 11th overall pick of the Mets in 2013, Smith debuted in the majors in 2017 as one of the game’s 100 best farmhands, but he fell way short of the hype at the outset of his career.
From 2017-18, a 332-plate appearance span, the lefty-swinging Smith put up a dismal .210/.259/.406 batting line. Smith’s minus-1.0 fWAR in that time frame ranked dead last among all 79 Mets who racked up at-bats, and he also struggled badly at the Triple-A level during the latter of the two seasons. As a result, fans, media and maybe even the organization were down on Smith, though he came back in 2019 to produce far better results than the average major league hitter.
Alonso’s presence and injuries to Smith helped keep him from playing a full season, but he still impressed during an 89-game, 197-PA sample. Playing his age-24 season, Smith batted .282/.355/.525 (133 wRC+) with 11 home runs and a lofty .243 ISO. Plus, after combining for a 28.4 percent strikeout rate with a 5.4 percent walk rate during the prior two years, he made serious strides in those departments. Smith went down on strikes at a 22.3 percent clip and drew free passes 9.6 percent of the time. He also chased fewer pitches outside the zone, made more contact and was equally effective against southpaws (132 wRC+) and righties (133 wRC+), though his success versus same-handed pitchers came over a much smaller sample size.
While Smith did take real steps forward last season, it appears there was some good fortune involved. Smith finished the season with a .368 weighted on-base average, but his .327 xwOBA (via Statcast) didn’t measure up. Even if you’re unconcerned by that and regard Smith as someone who could be a long-term offensive linchpin, it’s up in the air whether he’ll play another game for the Mets. Consider: Alonso has first base on lockdown, there’s no designated hitter option in the NL, and although Smith did get most of his playing time last season in the corner outfield, he’s part of a logjam there for the Mets. Not only could Yoenis Cespedes come back after a couple injury-crushed seasons, but the corner OF-capable foursome of Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis remains on hand. Those players’ presences could help push Smith to the trade block and out of Queens.
As mentioned, Smith’s coming off a season in which he made clear progress. He also has another pre-arbitration season left and isn’t on track to reach free agency until after the 2024 campaign. All of those factors should buoy Smith’s trade value, as should the dearth of high-end first basemen in free agency, yet he’s still not going to bring back any kind of haul. Smith’s position, his lack of a track record in the bigs and a lack of demand for first basemen have likely tamped down his appeal on the market. Ultimately, it seems possible New York will use Smith to get rid of one of its undesirable contracts (Jed Lowrie? Jeurys Familia?), as Ken Rosenthal recently reported the Mets and Rangers were in talks on such a deal. The Rangers still haven’t upgraded at first, where Ronald Guzman was a disaster in 2019, so they might remain interested in Smith. The Red Sox, Royals and Twins also make for a few debatable landing spots.
For now, Smith looks like one of the most logical trade candidates in baseball. However, if the Mets don’t receive an offer to their liking, they keep Smith as a bench player or stash him as depth in Triple-A ball. Smith still has a pair of minor league options left, but he seems overqualified for anything below the majors at this point. Regardless, it doesn’t appear Smith will be able to carve out a regular role for himself as a Met, so a trade could be the best move for his career.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
send him to the pirates for Kela
Pirates have Bell. I don’t see that one happening.
Smith can play OF too.
As a Mets fan, I can tell you that’s not really true. Yes, they played him there, because of injuries and the fact he was hitting a ton, but Smith just doesn’t have the range for it. He’ll make the plays he can get to, and has a strong arm, but he doesn’t get to enough balls to make it work. Go check out his defensive metrics, doesn’t matter which ones you prefer, they all show we was awful out there. Very good defensive 1B, though, for a team that needs one.
To defend Smith, he was thrown out there. He’s not that slow, and he has a better arm than Brandon Nimmo. He needs to get a better jump on the ball, and he’ll learn that with proper instruction and experience. He should be a better OF next year, if he’s still with the Mets. JD Davis, OTOH, still looks lost to me.
That said, the Mets should gamble and keep Smith this year. If he plays up to his ability, he’d bring in a much greater haul in a trade. Also, Smith could slot into the OF in 2021 if the Mets cut ties with Conforto.
That’s a good point. If he can improve this year his value would go up next year. I think he will get better this year.
I agree, they should keep him. With the way the Mets get injured they could be in a hole very quickly.
Secondly I also agree he was thrown out pun intended into the outfield out of desperation and could get better with more repetitions.
Please no Marte; the last thing we need is a CF on the downside of his career and losing young controllable talent.
Agreed. No on Marte, for all the reasons you give and because of his past PED usage.
His value is as a 1B where he excels with the glove.
Smith is unproven over 162,you may get a couple of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches for him,sorry to burst your Bubble
Not if you’ve actually watched him over the course of the season like I have. The kid is for real.
Hey Conner, are you the only one working?
Connor
Oh, my bad.
Trade him for some relief
I could see the Mets making more bullpen moves, but mostly it’s hoping for rebounds from Diáz and Familia. Without any further moves, the 13-man pitching staff would be:
Starters: deGrom, Thor, Stroman, Matz, Porcello; Relievers: Wacha, Brach, Gsellman, Wilson, Lugo, Betances, Familia and Díaz.
One suggestion I saw on risingapple.com was Lowrie and Gsellman for Soria. I think the Mets would have to throw some cash in the A’s direction with that one. I don’t see the Mets trading Dom for relief unless someone else from the staff is traded. All those contracts are guaranteed.
Stop trying to send Marte to the Mets. He’s a corner Of’er and the Mets have plenty. He can’t play center anymore.
Trading for Marte to play CF for a single season is better than any of the options the Mets currently have in CF. I say a single season b/c I firmly believe they’ll go hard after Betts next off-season. If you’ve paid attention to the Mets you know that a) they desperately need a legitimate CF b) their payroll after 2020 drops from $174M to $70M in ’21, drops to $56M in ’22, $51M in ’23 and pretty much $0 in 24 – so they’ve got plenty of room for multiple large contracts and c) Cohen’s money will start to trickle into off-season free agent acquisitions.
So trading for Marte now makes great sense for the Mets. Signing Betts next year would allow them to then shift Marte to RF and have an OF of Conforto, Betts and Marte.
I agree as above, NO Marte!
Legs are the first thing to go on a CF and stop pipe dreaming about Betts; the Coupons won’t spend the money
They’re in the process of selling the team, Cohen owns 75% of the team – effective immediately. He just doesn’t take over complete control until 5 yrs from now when his shares jump up to 80% and the MLB Owners vote him in.
Given his liklihood of contributing money to the payroll and the fact that the Mets’ payroll will drop by over $100M (literally) it’s not far-fetched at all to think they’d go after Betts…not in the least.
excellent point.we have heard the pirates are looking into trading Bell. so I feel Mayer should be part of a Mets trade w/the pirates.
NickyNoodles:
Get your point but we are still on the Tampons dime.
If Cohen money is kicking in now then we would have Cole or Rendon.
Happy New Year!
Not really on Cole or Rendon for the exact reason that was mentioned earlier. Mets will have loads of cash to spend, but not until after the 2020 season. I’m down with the Marte and Betts OF scenario. I could dig Marte in CF for this season and then slotting him over to a corner OF spot after the season. What you don’t want, however, is to get stuck with him in CF as he ages and his legs go. I’d sell high on Dom given that there really isn’t a spot for him on the Mets right now.
Yep. That’s my point exactly.. Marte is a FA after the ’21 season so, in theory, he’d play CF for the Mets in 2020 and RF for the Mets in 2021 (w/ Betts in CF) and after that, he’d walk. If the Mets could manager to trade for Marte and still keep Nimmo, they could replace Marte w/ Nimmo after ’21 and have Conforto/Betts/Nimmo ’22 +……again, might be a pipe dream. But, I honestly believe Cohen will start to contribute to payroll next year and with as much money as the Mets will have to spend, and their glaring need for a legit CF, it makes too much sense not to go after Betts.
Haven’t you heard? The Mets already have the best bullpen in the NL….
I like Dom, but he’s a spare part. Get what you can get.
The Mets don’t have room in the bullpen to do that straight up. I’m not sure the Rangers would do LeClerc for Dom and Gsellman.
I’m not sure his value is what Mets’ fans believe. Yes he had a nice comeback year after performing miserably in his first MLB shot. However was it him or the ball? He can easily be traded but I don’t see enough surplus to take on Lowery who may or may not get on the field.
*Lowrie.
By the way, Familia? ROTFL.
Well then if that’s the case he might be even more attractive to a team because insurance will pay 3/4 of his salary then
I feel a Dom Smith for Jose Leclerc 1 for 1 swap coming (which IMO isn’t enough for Leclerc). Then the Rangers go sign Harris.
Sorry, that reply to Mikey was meant for you.
Yeah I agree, an offer that both side could agree on though, and a deal that I am fond of is Lowrie, Smith, and Gsellman for Leclerc and a low level catching prospect, and the Rangers would eat all of Lowrie’s money.
who needs Leclerc, ate you nuts we have the best bullpen in the game., We need a power hitting outfielders. period
That makes a lot of sense if they can secure Harris. Dom has an above avg glove at 1B, his natural position. Dom hit well throughout the minors, stumbled his first MLB year, and has since adjusted. I’d miss Dom, but it’s a nice that could help both clubs and give Dom a chance to play every day.
Let’s see… checking Baseball Almanac for Dom Smith’s trade value and it says here…. they could get either an old pair of Kyle Kendricks spikes or a 1989 Sam Horn Topps trading card. I wonder what the Mess GM does…. riveting storyline, can’t wait to see how it plays out!
Definitely still has value
Smith is a nice fit for the Rockies and the Nats, though I doubt Mets would trade him to Washington. The guy can flat out hit and is an excellent defensive 1B. Mets should have no difficulty finding a willing trade partner. He’d be an upgrade on the Orioles, Brewers and Marlins, too.
He’d be an upgrade here, too. Pujols won’t put up a positive wRC+. He hadn’t since 2016.
Even if Dom cools off a bit and posts a 115, that’s still 20-25% improvement.
Not saying it will happen, just that it makes sense.
Dom Smith’s trade value and it says here…. they could get either an old pair of Kyle Kendricks spikes or a 1989 Sam Horn Topps trading card
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This is Tmandotfan’s way of saying that he knows nothing about baseball.
I am surprised the author didn’t mention the single biggest reason for his turn around: Sleep apnea. For those interested google him and sleep apnea. Very interested. If im the Mets I offer Davis, McNiel and Smith for Arrenado. The Rox get three controllable players that would fill needs and rake in Denver, not to mention set themselves up nicely salary wise moving and the Mets get not only a great two way player but the offensive superstar they need
No thanks to Arrenado — Rockies can keep that contract
The mets couldn’t help themselves with cano, but you would turn down a chance at arenado because of his contract? Dudes a top talent and it’s not your money
McNeil could be a top 10-15 hitter for years to come. He raked throughout the minors and continues in the majors. He is cheap and controllable into his prime years. Arenado is an elite 3B with a great bat….who has $234m coming to him. Dude is a beast, but his splits are scary away from Coors though. If McNeil can be an avg glove and be 80% of the hitter of Arenado…the Mets need to keep him. FWIW…McNeil’s first two seasons produced higher OPS+ than any season from Arenado in his career.
The Rockies are going to be asking what else is coming with that package. You have McNeil who is good, and two guys that couldn’t play the OF in Coors much less the NL West, and are destined for 1B. Not to mention, perceived 1Bs who aren’t considered elite bats have seen their value significantly downgraded. If they are trading Arenado, they at his mercy to where he wants to go, they are probably looking for not only a stud bat but also their greatest of needs, always, in SP. That package is significantly lacking. And as much as I’d like to see Dom get full time ABs it’s going to take a package much greater than that.
I’d put Dom at first, slide Murphy to second and Mcmahon to third. I’d find a spot for Mcniel easily. Find some minor league SP instead of Davis. McNiel would be the center piece. He could win a batting crown let alone at Coors. He is a throwback and would be a great addition to the Rox. Rumor had it the teams talked last year and Smiths name came up. I’ll give you that I’m a bit higher in Dom than most. I think a team who needs a 1b should be looking to steal him. But I’m not sold that the Rox would move Arrenado, I think it’s idle chatter
The Rockies would laugh so hard at that trade offer
No they wouldn’t. That would be a steal. Look how little Miami got for Stanton
The Rockies will never get that deal, or anything close. If the NYMs wanted to spend $234M/6 for a 3B, they’d have just signed Rendon and kept their young layers.
Mets will wait until Spring Training to see if Lowrie and Familia have any value. If they don’t then they can attach Smith and rid themselves of bad contracts. But it doesn’t make sense right now.
Also, it doesn’t make sense for the Rangers to take on bad contracts to get Smith.
Smith and Marisnick for Marte makes a ton of sense for both the Pirates and Mets.
That makes no sense for the Pirates. Smith only played in the outfield because Alonso took all the playing time at 1B. And the Pirates have this guy named Josh Bell entrenched at 1B. Also, the rebuilding Pirates have younger in-house options that are better than Marisnick, The Pirates are looking for a young catcher and pitching in any Marte deal.
Hey Dave-
Mets are also going to have to wait and see after spring training how SLOW Robbie Cano is.
You can’t argue about his offensive slide over the past 4 years. At some point his performance is going to fall over a cliff. He’s having difficulty reaching low pitches on the corners and it’s tough watching him not being able to turn in high heat.
Every player has problems reaching low pitches on the corners.
Enough said in my handle
Marte makes no sense for the Mets. Another steroid guy?
Maybe he can trade scripts with Cano?
Already 32, down side of his career as a CF.
Not worth it…
Can anyone say Josh Harrison from the Pirates who we were willing to give up all on?
Now I heard he signed a minor league deal after batting under .200
Gee how old is he? 32?
They have like nine corner outfielder/1B. A mess. Smith finally turns the corner with his bat in his 7th season in the organization, just to get sent away for probably not much.
Don’t forget Smith was drafted as an 18 year old. He went from rookie ball to AAA in 5 years, one full season at each rung and not only didn’t have a bad tear he improved at each stop to be a ,300 hitter with pop. Then sleep apnea set in. Then it was discovered and he again showed what he could do. I think the Mets know this and aren’t willing to give away a player they gave 2.6 million to. Unfortunately Smiths career will suffer a bit without increased playing time.
Would have preferred him in Detroit over Cron.
Yes Bruce and they have two second baseman that can’t catch anything up the middle.
How can we stop this stupid narrative of using Smith to get rid of a contract? Dude was drafted out of high school and took time to develop. Mets may have brought him up early based in gaudy Las Vegas numbers but he’s shown he can be more than a James Loney if he keeps his weight in check. Mets should probably deal him – but it’s not like he’s a piece of trash you package with a contract. He’s worth more on the Mets bench right now than he’s get back at this moment. Who is playing 1B is Alonso gets hurt?
If Alonso gets hurt, the Mets are in trouble
With all of this trade talk it’s affecting Don’s confidence. He’s so insecure right now that you have to wonder how he tips the scale when he reports.
you know nothing of what Dom is thinking nor do you know if he is insecure or not. Clearly you havent paid attention. Hes been on the trade block for 3 years and big time this past year and he was fine. He didnt let it affect him at all. Read the room bro.
Hey fits,sounds like your full time job is bashing the Mets.You are the second coming of “Mikeyank “
Bingo! If Alonso gets hit in the hand with a pitch we need a Dom on the bench
If any team loses their 50 homer guy, they are ‘in trouble’. Mets have 1b options in Cano, Lowrie and Davis plus whatever else floats around free agency, the minors and trade bait.
Absolutely. He is worth way more than people think on the bench and playing at first occasionally as the 3 batter minimum and a 26 man roster will give him way more at bats this year even if he doesn’t play in the outfield. He could conceivably play in four game a week or more with these changes.
Smith, Familia and Vientos for Ken Giles.
Look, you’re a rebuilding team, this is the perfect kid to go get. Mets truly can’t use him and he young. Marlins come to mind.
Now if you’re the Mets, yes you don’t need him but it’s worth a healthy change back. At least in prospect currency… I’d trade him.
Coming from a Braves Fan who wants the best for the Mets! LOL 🙂
A braves fan in other posts who said he hates the Mets.
So that is my best argument to keep Dom Smith.
I like Smith’s potential, but still question the power profile for a 1st baseman. He was always touted, but also always had suspect power numbers. Last year was encouraging and if you extrapolate his 11 homers in 177 ABs over a full load he would have pushed for 30 homers. But that is a highly optimistic ceiling, because Smith was asked to only handle righty pitchers last year. Over a full season seeing all pitchers, including lefties he is probably a 20 homer guy and at first base that’s just not all that good. However, he has a good hit tool, has improved and I understand he’s an excellent defender so someone would likely be interested in him, but I doubt the Mets will parlay a Smith deal into a bounty of prospects. They could probably get a dependable reliever for him or a good prospect.
And yet Hosmer is just that for his career making 144mil in 8years.
The Metropolitans will package Dom, and several others, for a big bat since at present they do not have a position player who can do it from the right side.
With the 3 batter minimum and the 26 man roster both coming into the league at the same time, pinch hitters are going to be extremely important. I really don’t think GM’s have realized this yet. There are going to be a lot of relief pitchers exposed out there on the mound this year and managers are going to use lefty and righty bats off the bench to their advantage. It’s going to create a niche for guys like Dominic Smith and present free agents like Wilmer Flores. I wouldn’t trade Dominic Smith at all, especially as salary relief with Familia or Jed Lowrie. He is also insurance for if Alonzo has to spend any time on the IL and he isn’t a free agent until 2025. With the Mets having a poor farm system in the mid and upper levels, young team controllable players like Smith are worth their weight in gold. I wouldn’t trade him and I hope the Mets don’t either
The Metropolitans will package Dom with several others,since they need a big bat from a position player, who hits from the right side.
Brodie is not gonna trade Smith unless he gets blown away by a ridiculous offer. Very unlikely because Smith comes with too many question marks at this point. He’s way more valuable to the Mets as a bench player who still has minor league options. Wait & see if he has a great spring, then he has more trade value. Plus, by then someone will get injured and the Mets will need him
Brodie van lunchwagon will trade anyone just to show the baseball world he is relevant and smart.
He could care less about the Mets and their fans; all about him in the news.
That lunchwagon thing just gets funnier every time
I’m keeping my fingers crossed the Royals take him and Familia. Royals will have enough cash to buy a “prospect” and first had been such a black hole since 2015. An upside play like this and Familia would still be an upgrade over some of the guys that were coming out of the pen last year
Mets’ fan chiming in – early in Dom’s Mets mlb experience he was lethargic, overweight, seemed to lack focus and, at times, seemed tone just going through the motions and looking like he didn’t care if he was on the field or not.
BUT, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea, got the necessary treatment and cpap apparatus and turned it all around. As someone who has also gone through this untreated for a decade and also gone through the transformation, I’m all in on Dom Smith. The kid is buried on the current Mets roster and just needs an opportunity.
Any team that trades for this kid will be glad they did. Great attitude, works at whatever is needed and loves the game. He even volunteered to work on being the center fielder if that’s what the club needed from him!
With 650 at bats, I’d fully expect 25/85/.285 from him. In a hitter’s park and protection behind him, add another 10%. He’d be a solid 6 or 7 on any team.
If The Mets do not get another big right handed bat they will most likely finish in 3rd pace.
Such is life.
The Mets organization (and its fans) wildly overestimate the value of its fringe players. Smith, Davis, Gsellman, Lugo, Nimmo, et al, are viewed as marginal players by anyone outside of Queens.
The need to search for silver linings must be the result of having your spirit crushed by the Yankees over the past 58 years…
Agree on first 3 as a Mets fan but not Nimmo and Lugo
As a Met fan we really don’t care about the Yankees as much as you think or hope.
If I wanted to be a Yankee fan all I have to do is go out and buy a hat; nothing stopping me.
Met fans only look for silver linings becasue were stuck with it because of the Tampons who own the team.
Nothing wrong with hope…
There’s nothing fringy about Lugo and any club in the majors would be happy to have him.
Yankee fans just worried about when Cohen comes and actually opens his wallet so the Mets don’t spend like the royals anymore
The Mets should not trade Dom Smith…yet. Smith is talented (former 1st round pick), he’s just blocked by the superior Alonso. Smith is just 24 years old and did hit .282 with 11 Hrs and 44 rbi. He will hit for average (.300 hitter in the minors). He will hit 25 HRs given the ABs. The one thing he does better then Alonso is field. Really solid glove.
Ok Metsie1 but where us he going to play? You say he has a good glove at first base so where then does Alonso play?
I said is that they should not trade him…yet. He can play once or twice a week backing up Alonso and pinch hitting. So ok, wordonthestreet what are they getting for Smith? They need to get something of value for Smith and not just give him away. I’d wait.
.300 hitter in the minors means nothing and he can hit 25 homers … So what? Alonso can hit 50 plus
Well, Alonso hit 50 plus once during a juiced ball year… Let’s not assume he will make it a regular occurrence. Judge and Stanton also did it in 2017, and haven’t since…
Yes, yes means nothing. No one said he is replacing Alonso. Learn to read.
Keep in mind that he was also in a platoon situation. I like Dom and hope he gets 650 at bats somewhere, but not in a post season hopeful 2020 Mets outfield. If the Mets get 500+ ab’s from him, something went terribly wrong.
What an overhyped prospect in NY? Never heard of such a thing.
Crazylarry. Now I get the meaning behind your name.
The Mets needing a center fielder discussion is a little weak. I watched probably 140 Mets games last and think Conforto does an excellent job there.
If they get a solid LEFT fielder that can go get the ball, it would serve the same purpose which is upgrading the defense. Given McNeil’s athleticism, I think a full off season and spring training gives him a chance of sliding into CF as well.
An outfield of Conforto, Nimmo and McNeil in any combination will only get better, defensively. The problem in my opinion, is that I think the more Nimmo plays, the more his weaknesses get magnified. He takes too many pitches, he guesses too often, he gets locked up or fooled on too many called third strikes and his is lethargic when behind in the count.
That doesn’t mean he can’t make adjustments, but since his first 60 games or so, he has not been good.
A package of Smith, Nimmo and Nido should bring back a very solid piece or two from a team that might want to shed some 30 year olds with 5-7 mill per year contracts with proven mlb success.
like Marte.
He is a’comin
Marte can trade PED scripts with Cano.
CF legs go quick and Marte is already 32, Bad Move.
Plus we have to give up talent and money.
Sign Kevin Pillar for one year and go after a CF next eyar.
Happy New Year!
I’d be satisfied with Marte for one year in CF and then slotted over to a corner OF spot if that happened. Glad someone else finally mentioned Pillar, though, as that was the guy I had hoped most for since the beginning of the off-season. Makes all the sense in the world to sign him to a short term contract and then reassess the situation after the 2020 season, when the Mets have more cash available and some amazing OF becoming FA. It’s not like Pillar would be a step in the wrong direction, either. The guy can flat out play.
The smart move is to hold onto him until a team goes either goes down with a serious injury at 1B or is done with their current 1B due to lack of production. I want a young major league ready reliever with high upside and a minor league, and not garbage either. One with good potential.
Straight up for Corey Ray.
Never mind Dom Smith or Nimmo or Lowerie — lets get rid of Edwin Diaz
JD Davis was just as lucky on balls he put in play. Between them, JD and Dom make a respectable LF platoon and whoever isn’t playing offers power off the bench, something the Mets haven’t had in a while.
As for Cespedes, please. Deal him while other teams estimate him as worth a few million. Waiting for Yoenis is a losing proposition. Worth 6 wins in 2015, 3 in 2016, 2 in 2017, 1 in 2018, 0 in 2019.
And the Mets plan to put him in LF? Just stop.
Mets should have signed Will Harris but wanted Betances coming off injury and cant find the plate half the time — just what will happen when Familia and Diaz and Betances go back to back to back in a game will not be worth watching – Lugo should be made closer and the Mets should have signed 2 other pen arms –like another LH
Adding the uncertainty of Betances to the uncertainty of Familia to the uncertainty of Diaz to the uncertainty Lugo’s missing ligament seems… unwise.
I’d prefer Harris, but given how much money it turns out the Mets had to spend, how is the cost of Wacha and Betances worth the AAV of Will Smith’s deal with Atlanta, 3/40m, at the start of the offseason?
Is it a possible thing to wait until spring training and maybe a team with an injury to 1B/OF could be interested? Is that something realistic?
It’s very likely. Even then, Smith is not going to generate much trade value. He’s a dime-a-dozen guy. Really has his best value for a rebuilding team that’s trying to stockpile younger pieces, while unloading vets. No winning team is going to go out of there way to trade anything of value for Smith – not when most of them have better options at 1B and OF.
Mets should be looking for a LHP reliever on a rebuilding team that has a clear current opening and no prospects at 1B.
@MarlinsFanBase Another option would be to upgrade the pen, dealing Dom Smith and Gsellman for an improvement over Gsellman, who has been replacement level over his career.
Mets are in a very good position and they don’t need to trade Smith right now.
As much as they’d like to unload some unfavorable contracts they will wait to see it Lowrie and/or Familia shows anything in Spring Training. If they show anything their value goes up from the zero it is now. And with Smith having minors options available the Mets are in no rush to move him.
So attaching Smith to bad contracts doesn’t make sense right now but we could see it happen sometime in March.