*Photo from BoSox Injection*
They had a position void to fill, so they went to a division rival. The Washington Nationals have agreed to a one year, $2 million deal with 1B/OF Dominic Smith, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Washington has confirmed.
After being non tendered by the New York Mets earlier in the offseason, Smith hit the free agent market, and now he has a home a few hours down the road in the nation's capital. He has incentives that can add another $2 million to the deal, making it a low risk signing for the now rebuilding Nationals. Smith was chosen with the 11th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Last season was a rocky one for Smith, openly upset with his situation in New York. He stumbled to a .194 batting average, .284 slugging percentage, and .560 OPS, going homerless with 17 RBI's in 58 games, eventually being demoted to Triple A Syracuse.
The former first round pick has played in 6 major league seasons, all with the Mets. In that time, Smith has amassed a .246 batting average, .308 on base percentage, and .424 slugging percentage, hitting 46 home runs and adding 179 RBI's and 78 doubles in 447 games played. He has not appeared in any playoff games.
Smith can fit into the Nationals lineup in a few ways. He was blocked by Pete Alonso at first base with the Mets, so he could partner with Joey Meneses at first, his natural position. He could get some time in left field alongside Lane Thomas, a position Smith has played in recent years due to the presence of Alonso.
The Nationals can also opt to have Smith as the DH, a position that was filled by Nelson Cruz last year, who is now a free agent. He started 14 games in 2022 at the DH spot, giving the Nationals 3 different avenues to get Smith in the lineup.
Smith is the latest addition of the offseason for the Nationals, who have brought in Jeimer Candelario, Thad Ward, and Jeter Downs, and have re-signed reliever Erasmo Ramirez.
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