Still plenty of unknowns for Mets' Dominic Smith
The Mets' Dominic Smith singles in the second inning of a spring training game against the Astros on Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP/Sue Ogrocki
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In the case of the Mets and Dominic Smith, what is best for the team (having him available as a strong hitter and somewhat versatile defender) is not necessarily what is best for the player (playing every day, even if it is with another team).
Therein lies the awkwardness, or potential awkwardness, heading into a new season in which Smith is penciled in as a part-time player who will see action at DH, first base and leftfield.
That goes against his preference — an obvious preference — to be a full-timer, as he had been for years.
“That’s like common sense,” Smith said Monday. “I’m here. It’s out of my control. I can’t trade myself, and I can’t put myself in the lineup. All I can do is show what I can and that’s what I do on the field, and that’s what I plan to do. Play hard and play well.”
Would Smith rather be traded, then?
“I never said that, either. That’s something that didn’t come out of my mouth,” he said. “I’m here with the Mets. I love this team. I love this city. And we have a great team. And I think everybody’s goal is to win a World Series, and this team has a pretty good chance to. So I’m just here every day trying to do what I can to help this team win ballgames, playing in November. That’s our goal and that’s what we’re trying to get to.”
Smith’s comments came in the context of the Mets’ potential trade with the Padres over the weekend. They were considering sending Smith to San Diego for first baseman Eric Hosmer and righthander Chris Paddack but ultimately decided against it.
Such a deal would have been a huge opportunity for Smith, who finally would be a regular first baseman instead of being blocked by Pete Alonso or learning leftfield. Instead, he remains with the Mets, publicly upbeat despite uncertainty.
As his name was in the news Saturday, he was completely unaware, he said. He was at the beach with his girlfriend after manager Buck Showalter gave most of the Mets the day off. In the days since, he hasn’t had any conversations with general manager Billy Eppler or another member of the front office.
“They don’t owe me an explanation,” Smith said. “I’ve been a part of trade rumors my whole career. This is something that’s not new to me, and it’s something that’s just going to be a part of the game. It’s obviously good to be wanted. It means you’re obviously a pretty good player and that’s what Buck said. That was just a little bit of high praise from him to me, so it is what it is. But I’m here.”
Showalter called it “wishful thinking” to hope players ignore their names popping up in reports of trade negotiations.
“It’s the unknown that drives players crazy,” Showalter said. “Not just potential trade rumors, but the unknown period.”
Among the unknowns for Smith this season: How often will he play? And where?
Smith said with a laugh that he has “no idea” about the answers to those questions. And apparently neither does Showalter.
“We’re not there yet, exactly how this whole thing is going to shake out,” Showalter said. “Certainly, once we get rolling, I’ll make sure he knows exactly what I’m thinking.”
In the meantime, Smith will take it as it comes — and hope for more.
“I don’t think any player in the big leagues wants to be a backup player or a part-time player,” he said. “If the opportunity is out there, who wouldn’t want to play every day?”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
