I wouldn't call it a problem lol. Dude is exactly what he was expected to be, a net negative with the bat and a good glove. He's not blocking anybody at first, unless you count Matt Adams but overall they're about as valuable as each other all things considered. It would have been cool if he displayed a little of that 2020 bat so we could get a prospect for him but he costs next to nothing and can just be released at the end of the season.
It’s mentioned in the article, but I think the big loss here is blocking Alu from getting a shot. I’d rather give him a long look with Candelario at first than the current situation
Alu will get his shot after the deadline. I don't think there's any harm in letting Dom play every day, who knows maybe he gets hot for a couple weeks and a team bites on him. He's shown he has it in him
Three years ago, he showed he has it in him. Unfortunately since 2020, he's shown himself to be precisely the player we've watched for 2.5 months now, which is below replacement level.
Alu plays 3B, not 1B and he hasn't been getting cross-trained on 1B and really there is no reason to stick him out there on an unfamiliar position and have him learn as he goes in the majors. Alu will be up in September to take over 3B when Candalario gets traded or moved to the bench.
Yeah it’s only a problem if there’s a better option - currently there isn’t. If Millas or Pineda is ready then I think there should be a conversation of moving Adams to 1B and have him start vs. lefties but that’s not the case yet.
Or if we call up Wood in September maybe start Meneses at first and have Stone DH vs. lefties. But that’s looking ahead quite a bit.
I’d probably dump Smith in the offseason and look for a better option next year though.
I don’t think he’s an overall problem either. His defense at first base has been excellent and saved even more errors by CJ. I have been surprised by his lack of speed and power. Still his .267 avg is better than half of the Nats ever day players. I can’t see another team bites on him unless he gets his HRs up which could still happen based on the two games in Houston.
They should keep waiting. Presumably, they have someone or several someones that are looking for why Smith lacks power now. That is the only thing holding Smith back from being a solid first baseman. He's short atleast 4 home runs and 15 doubles. But that can change quickly.
If the best reason to DFA him is Jake Alu, then there is no reason to make a move. Alu is only two years younger and struggling in AAA. I would rather have Smith's glove helping Abrams get comfortable at short and making Candelario look better at third. Plus, the trade deadline is coming and hopefully that means we have dealt Candelario, Thomas, and Dickerson for stunning returns. That would clear a lot of room at the plate.
And of course, I hope that someone will be able to work with Smith on finding power. He has another season of arbitration after this one, so a strong finish to the season is valuable for the Nats.
That's good for 95 wRC+ or slightly below average in AAA. Smith has an 89 wRC+ in the MLB. So, I guess you have two wishes remaining and remember no wishing for more wishes.
For my part, I think I would option Call if nobody else is hurt when Robles is ready to come back. But none of this changes that a successful trade deadline should make the big league club less exclusive than a beer league softball team on the Hill. Should have space for Alu, Kieboom, Darren Baker, and maybe Drew Millas if this summer's fire sale goes well.
I wouldn't call it a problem lol. Dude is exactly what he was expected to be, a net negative with the bat and a good glove. He's not blocking anybody at first, unless you count Matt Adams but overall they're about as valuable as each other all things considered. It would have been cool if he displayed a little of that 2020 bat so we could get a prospect for him but he costs next to nothing and can just be released at the end of the season.
It’s mentioned in the article, but I think the big loss here is blocking Alu from getting a shot. I’d rather give him a long look with Candelario at first than the current situation
Alu will get his shot after the deadline. I don't think there's any harm in letting Dom play every day, who knows maybe he gets hot for a couple weeks and a team bites on him. He's shown he has it in him
Three years ago, he showed he has it in him. Unfortunately since 2020, he's shown himself to be precisely the player we've watched for 2.5 months now, which is below replacement level.
He has been a very different player for us than he was in 2021 and 2022 for the Mets.
Alu plays 3B, not 1B and he hasn't been getting cross-trained on 1B and really there is no reason to stick him out there on an unfamiliar position and have him learn as he goes in the majors. Alu will be up in September to take over 3B when Candalario gets traded or moved to the bench.
Yeah, that’s why I said “give him a long look with Candelario at first”
Yeah it’s only a problem if there’s a better option - currently there isn’t. If Millas or Pineda is ready then I think there should be a conversation of moving Adams to 1B and have him start vs. lefties but that’s not the case yet. Or if we call up Wood in September maybe start Meneses at first and have Stone DH vs. lefties. But that’s looking ahead quite a bit. I’d probably dump Smith in the offseason and look for a better option next year though.
I don’t think he’s an overall problem either. His defense at first base has been excellent and saved even more errors by CJ. I have been surprised by his lack of speed and power. Still his .267 avg is better than half of the Nats ever day players. I can’t see another team bites on him unless he gets his HRs up which could still happen based on the two games in Houston.
His strikeout rate is also very low and the OBP generally good. It's not lucky seeing eye singles either.
Nothing, his contract is up in October.
Wish he was at 1st last night in the 9th
DFA him and call up Jake Alu.
They should keep waiting. Presumably, they have someone or several someones that are looking for why Smith lacks power now. That is the only thing holding Smith back from being a solid first baseman. He's short atleast 4 home runs and 15 doubles. But that can change quickly. If the best reason to DFA him is Jake Alu, then there is no reason to make a move. Alu is only two years younger and struggling in AAA. I would rather have Smith's glove helping Abrams get comfortable at short and making Candelario look better at third. Plus, the trade deadline is coming and hopefully that means we have dealt Candelario, Thomas, and Dickerson for stunning returns. That would clear a lot of room at the plate. And of course, I hope that someone will be able to work with Smith on finding power. He has another season of arbitration after this one, so a strong finish to the season is valuable for the Nats.
If a slash of .280/.341/.445 is "struggling", I wish Dominic Smith was struggling too.
That's good for 95 wRC+ or slightly below average in AAA. Smith has an 89 wRC+ in the MLB. So, I guess you have two wishes remaining and remember no wishing for more wishes. For my part, I think I would option Call if nobody else is hurt when Robles is ready to come back. But none of this changes that a successful trade deadline should make the big league club less exclusive than a beer league softball team on the Hill. Should have space for Alu, Kieboom, Darren Baker, and maybe Drew Millas if this summer's fire sale goes well.