I truly hope not.
I’ve mostly defended the Mets every step of the way this winter.
I’ve praised their approach to player acquisition this off-season. I’ve celebrated their commitment to building legitimate depth.
I’m just scratching my head over Dominic Smith.
Sandy Alderson, the man who originally drafted Smith, is back. It was Alderson’s quotes regarding Smith leading up to the 2018 season that had most of the fan base ready to run Dom out of town.
It took a breakout and Smith being one of the most likable people on the planet for the fans to change their tune.
Hey, maybe Alderson’s quotes helped to inspire Smith to turn his career around. Let’s just say the jury is still out, to be fair.
Alderson didn’t do Dom any favors on the field though. Bringing him up. Sending him down. Sporadic at-bats. (Luis Guillorme nods knowingly.)
Thrusting Smith in the outfield so Jay Bruce, of all people, could play first base? Very bizarre.
It wasn’t much better under Brodie Van Wagenen.
Prior to the 2019 season, Smith asked for reps in left field during Spring Training. The team refused. He was told that left field wasn’t in the plans for him.
Guess who was playing left field in Citi Field before Memorial Day?
Fast forward to 2021. Spring Training in Port St. Lucie.
Dominic Smith has yet to play left field in a game. He’s been the designated hitter. He’s played first base.
He has not played in left field.
Let’s revisit another Sandy Alderson quote, this one from January. Just two months ago.
Sandy Alderson has made it clear, in a group interview yesterday and on WFAN today, that he is not comfortable with Dominic Smith as a left fielder. He'll play Smith there if he has to, and it's obvious that Smith's bat needs to be in the lineup. But the Mets badly want the DH.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 8, 2021
Yeah. I think we all want the DH. (Maybe they know something we don’t. Maybe the DH is coming, and MLB just decided to wait until March to announce it.)
But, if there is no DH? Dominic Smith is your left fielder, for better or worse. Why are we not giving him reps?
Maybe Sandy is just trying to inspire him again?
I know. The team said they are doing this to keep Dom “fresh.”
He’s 25 years old. Can we get him acclimated to playing a position in which he’s not comfortable?
Please?
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