5 former Mets players still without a job with spring training games approaching

4) Dominic Smith

It definitely feels like Dominic Smith has been away from the Mets for more than one season. Maybe it’s because for most of the 2022 campaign he was in the minor leagues. It’s easy to remember how Darin Ruf (another unemployed ex-Met for what it’s worth) didn’t hit a home run for them. Neither did Smith in 2022.

Outside of his great runs with the Mets in 2019 and 2020, Smith has put up consistently lousy numbers. He spent last season with the Washington Nationals where he managed to bat .254/.326/.366 but once again finished with about the same number of home runs and RBI as he always does. It doesn’t seem to matter how much playing time he gets. Smith had 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 586 plate appearances. He had 10 home runs and 42 RBI in 199 trips to the plate in 2020 alone.

There isn’t much free agent appeal with Smith. He’s a first baseman (definitely not a left fielder) who doesn’t hit for power. He had a good defensive season for the Nationals, but if there’s one position where you punt the defense and go all-out with offense, it’s the one he plays.

A minor league contract with an invite to spring training is the likely offseason outcome for Smith. Our final still unemployed Mets player, who often found himself on top prospects lists with Smith, will be much more fortunate.