Reese Kaplan -- Hear Me Out Before You Raise the Pitchforks!

Back in 2013 the Mets under Sandy Alderson’s leadership drafted with the 11th pick overall and chose one California-based first baseman by the name of Dominic Smith.  Given his heft some questioned whether or not he would amount to the type of major leaguer worthy of that first round draft pick.  No one questioned his ability to hit, no one had an issue with his fielding.  Red flags were raised about his lack of home run power, but overall it seemed a fairly solid pick.  However, given the tradition of big boppers at first base, many were disappointed that the Mets went halfway instead of looking for a true slugger.

He began his minor league career with an age 18 rookie league season in which he hit .301.  While that should have generated smiles, the detractors were quick to point out that in his 203 ABs he only hit 3 HRs and drove in 26.  That latter number would extrapolate to 78 RBIs in a full season but the HRs would fall under double digits.  Ouch!

The following year in A ball he had over 500 ABs and it was not all peaches and cream.  The batting average dropped 30 points.  The RBIs only totaled 44 and he hit just 1 HR for the full season.  It began to look as if the critics were 100% right in their skepticism about how Alderson used his precious draft selection.  In fact, many were already starting to tally others available who might have been better.

Maybe it was time to get adjusted, maybe it was maturity, or maybe it was better coaching, but as he moved up to A+ at age 20 things started coming together for the big man.  He hit over .300 again, this time reaching 79 RBIs, but the power was still pretty shy with only 6 long balls.  However, it was encouraging to see the positive results and he continued his minor league journey onward and upward.

His first year in AA made people start to take the man somewhat seriously.  He was again over .300 at this higher level of competition, but showed he was valuable in the middle of the order with double digit home runs at 14 and 91 RBIs.  Perhaps Sandy’s selection wasn’t so silly after all.

In 2017 he logged his first season at AAA and the batting average swelled to .330.  The home run total increased to 16, though the RBIs were a bit down at 76.  Still, a .330 hitter with double digit power and Gold Glove type defense at first base was certainly worth considering.  John Olerud made a career that way.  

Fast forward to the present day and it appears that Dom Smith will split time between the outfield and DH as this 2020 season continues.  53 HR All Star, Home Run Derby Champion and Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso is entrenched at 1st base.  Solid hitter but questionable fielder J.D. Davis needs to find at bats as well.  So what will the Mets do in the future?

(ducking and hiding)

Would it make sense to insert Dom Smith at his natural position of first base and trade Pete Alonso for a king’s ransom?  Yes, I know, true sluggers don’t evolve all that often and he’s become the x-rated face of the franchise alongside the more professional Jacob deGrom.  However, if you asked what the return would be for Smith or Davis, then compared that to what the return would be for Alonso (2020 horrific showing notwithstanding) it would appear clear you’d get a lot more for the man who coined the LFGM slogan.  

One thing you have to consider (if he’s still here) is that Brodie Van Wagenen appears not to embrace people who are bigger than he is.  Witness the termination of Edgardo Alfonzo.  As outlined yesterday, the Mets have a ton of holes to fill for 2021 and oddly have a surplus at 1st base.  Would a trade of the Polar Bear fill multiple holes at once?  Would it make sense?  There are not many chips available to trade who would net what Alonso would.  Is this the time the Mets do what the Red Sox once did with Babe Ruth?  It didn’t work out for them.  Would it work out for the Mets?  Do they have the courage or stupidity to make that kind of deal?  New owners will certainly have their say.