Dominic Smith being sent down is good for both the player and team

Following the 2020 season, I thought Dom Smith would be a part what I expected to be a really good New York Mets offense in 2021. It was in 2020, taking out the numbers with runners in scoring position, and Dom Smith was the best of the bunch.

In the shortened season he slashed .316/.377/.616 with ten home runs and 42 RBI. He had a 168 OPS+ and finished 13th in the National League MVP balloting after not even beginning the season as a starter.

Smith was given an everyday role in 2021 and struggled to stay the least. He was the healthiest of the regulars and slashed .244/.304/.363 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He had an 83 OPS+ and put up only 31 extra base hits. This was one fewer than he had in 2020 in almost 300 more plate appearances.

Mets: Dom Smith has looked lost at the plate for over a year now and he needs a mental reset.

Smith had the four hit game on the night the Mets had to decide on that last roster spot, solidifying the choice to DFA Robinson Cano. Smith was given the opportunity to take over that DH role and get more consistent at bats but has struggled mightily since Cano's departure.

Smith has just six hits in 46 at bats since his four-hit game. He had his chance to play, and did not come through. The Mets have had to pivot and have struck gold with the likes of Luis Guillorme and Nick Plummer getting at bats.

Sending Dom Smith down gives him the opportunity to play every day in Syracuse. While he is down there hopefully he can show the Mets that 2020-ability again. This will help his confidence and will give the Mets reason to either bring him back up or trade him.

Smith has expressed his frustration with not being handed an everyday role a couple of times this season despite not really earning it with his play. He has not hit a home run since July of 2021. He went from hitting one home run every 17.7 at-bats in 2020 to one home run every 50+ at-bats since.

The Mets recently called up Nick Plummer who has been extremely impressive, hitting two home runs in nine at bats while being more of a capable outfield option than Smith.

The Mets could really use the extra arm for their brutal 10 game road trip coming up and Dom Smith could really use a reset as he wouldn't have gotten much playing time with how guys like Plummer and Luis Guillorme are swinging the bat.

Best case scenario is Dom gets hot and is either traded for an arm or called back up and is ready to step into the DH role, much like he did in 2020 when Yoenis Cespedes opted out.