Mets make Dominic Smith a free agent, add three relievers
Dominic Smith #2 of the Mets strikes out to end the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Citi Field on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Dominic Smith went from first-round draft pick in 2013 to team MVP seven years later to Mets limbo last season to being non-tendered by the team on Friday, making him a free agent.
It was a tumultuous stay in Flushing for Smith, 27, one that ultimately leaves both sides wondering what might have been.
Smith overcame a sluggish — and misunderstood — start to his Mets career once his sleep apnea issues were correctly diagnosed. But he later found himself blocked at first base by the rapid ascension of Pete Alonso, never caught on in leftfield and somehow lost his mojo at the plate by the time the universal DH was installed for the 2022 season.
As a slick-fielding first baseman who has shown signs of being a dangerous lefty hitter in the past, Smith, who was drafted 11th overall by the Mets, should have an opportunity to revive his career with another club.
He batted .316 with 10 homers, 42 RBIs and a .993 OPS in 50 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but that version of Smith never reappeared over the longer haul. His playing time evaporated amid poor production in 2022 before he was demoted to Syracuse on May 31.
During Smith’s stay on the injured list for an ankle sprain, the Mets traded for lefthanded-hitting slugger Daniel Vogelbach, a move that took away Smith’s only remaining avenue to see the field and effectively sealed his fate in Flushing.
Smith earned $3.95 million in 2022, and with that salary due a bump for 2023 through arbitration, the Mets didn’t see the value in having him return. They also non-tendered reliever Sean Reid-Foley, who underwent Tommy John surgery last spring.
Mets add three relievers
This week of adding bullpen depth (with minor-league options) continued Friday as the Mets acquired three relievers: Elieser Hernandez and Jeff Brigham via a trade with the Marlins (for minor-leaguer Franklin Sanchez plus an unidentified player or cash) as well as William Woods from Atlanta on a waiver claim.
Hernandez, 27, can be a rotation fill-in, much like Trevor Williams (a free agent), as more than half of his 90 major-league games (48) in the past five years have been starts. He has a 5.04 ERA in that span. In 2022, in 10 starts and 20 relief appearances, Hernandez had a 6.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. Brigham, 30, had a 3.38 ERA and one save in 16 appearances in 2022.
Woods, 23, was ranked as Atlanta’s No. 25 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He made his MLB debut last season, throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in two games. In four seasons in the minors, he was 2-9 with a 4.60 ERA.
Early Turkey Day for Canha
Mark Canha had a busy Friday, judging a pie competition on “Good Morning America” and helping to hand out 500 turkeys with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation at the New York Common Pantry in Manhattan.
He’s kept up with the free-agent business of a few teammates, including the centerfielder who played next to him, the very-in-demand Brandon Nimmo. “He’s a phenomenal talent,” Canha said. “I really appreciate him as a teammate and as a person. He’s a great centerfielder and a great leadoff guy . . . I wish the best for him, but selfishly I would like him back.”
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
