Mets: Dominic Smith among the top trade candidates per MLB Trade Rumors

On their updated list of the top 25 offseason trade candidates, MLB Trade Rumors ranked Dominic Smith of the New York Mets number six.

What does the future hold for Dominic Smith? Arguably the best trade candidate on the New York Mets, the first baseman without a place to play regularly has remained in Queens through the first two months of the offseason.

On MLB Trade Rumors, a recent article ranked Smith sixth on their list of the top 25 offseason trade candidates. This doesn’t necessarily make him the sixth-best but does combine a mix of talent, value, and likelihood of a deal.

Interestingly enough, four of the five names ahead of Smith have either been linked to the Mets through winter rumors or are a logical fit.

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At number one we find Starling Marte. There was a period this winter you couldn’t go a day without reading a new rumor about the Mets’ interest in him. Right behind him is Ken Giles. While there hasn’t been any rumor connecting him to the Amazins, it sure would make a lot of sense for Brodie Van Wagenen to go out and add one more reliever.

Also ahead of Smith are Francisco Lindor, Matthew Boyd, and Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Mets did reportedly speak with the Cleveland Indians about Lindor and Bradley Jr. was an early offseason candidate to become the next center fielder in Flushing. Only Boyd doesn’t seem to have a connection to the Mets at the moment.

There are a variety of places Smith could get traded and a few ways to open up more room. Among those in the top five on MLB Trade Rumors’ list, a swap for Marte, Giles, or Bradley Jr. which involves Smith could make some sense. In Marte’s case, the Pittsburgh Pirates would need to unload first baseman Josh Bell first.

In addition to them, Josh Hader at number seven has also been a rumored target for the Mets to pursue. The inclusion of Smith in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for their hard-throwing closer would make sense for both clubs.

The Mets now have Dellin Betances for the bullpen but have some question marks remaining. The bullpen could use another arm. In center field, the team may still be in the market to upgrade although I’m doubtful they will.

Trade rumors involving Smith haven’t really materialized much. Many of the whispers I’ve read about involved his inclusion in a salary dump deal paired with either Jed Lowrie or Jeurys Familia.

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Smith’s future in Flushing still looks doubtful. Two first basemen on a National League roster just don’t work and Pete Alonso has the spot locked up for at least the next half-decade.