Tony Plate - First Base Battle Continues at NY Mets Camp

The first base battle continues at the New York Mets Spring training camp between Pete Alonso and Dom Smith. The battle between the two players has been very competitive. 

It has been one of the best battles for both the media and the New York Mets fans to see. 

PC - Reese Kaplan

Smith has been turning things around thus far as he tries to rebound from a rough performance with the parent club in 2018, however he did manage to slug .420 in 56 games. He was able to solve a sleep apnea issue and he feels physically better. 

PC - Ernest Dove

Alonzo, who has good power, hit 36 homers with 119 runs batted in with a .975 OPS at two levels in the minor leagues last season, but the Mets did not call him up, because of his defensive deficiency at first base. He has been working hard on his defense during Spring training. 

Since both players are performing well it will be a difficult decision for Mets manager Mickey Callaway to decide who will be the starting first baseman. From the way both players have performed thus far they both deserve a roster spot. 

If Smith wins the job and Alonso starts the season in the minor leagues, Alonso would gain an extra year of control. Smith said that he is willing to play left field if it means going north with the team.

There is a possibility that Callaway may keep both on the opening day roster. Another option is a possible platoon for both of them. 

Frazier and Lowrie will begin the season on the disabled list. When they both come off of the list it can make things interesting, because Frazier can also play first base; therefore, Callaway would have to decide who will have to be optioned to the minor leagues unless they trade or release someone else. 

Alonso is a right-handed hitter which is a team need in a left-handed dominant lineup. If Smith goes to the minor leagues and continues to perform well, he can be a valuable trade chip in the future since he is a versatile player which is the type of player that some teams would be interested in.

In other baseball news, the New York Yankees are having their own first base battle between Greg Bird and Luke Voit. Both players are having a good Spring and have put on a great show for Yankee fans and the media to see. 

Voit came to the Yankees in a trade last year and performed well. According to Yankee management Voit is the front-runner at the moment to win the job. Bird has had to overcome injuries during the last two seasons and has done a good job thus far. 

It is possible that manager Aaron Boone may keep both when the Yankees go north or if Bird is sent to the minor leagues, he can possibly be a good trade chip for a starting pitcher, which the Yankees can use.