The New York Mets are in the midst of a historic offseason that includes them signing Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar. The additions of Marte and Canha reshape the team’s outfield rotation and potentially leads to a homegrown player being traded. That player may be Dominic Smith.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that there is “some expectation” that the Mets will trade at least one of Smith and Jeff McNeil. The former has a compact swing from the left side, is a year removed from an encouraging season at the plate and plays both first base and left field. If available, Smith is a compelling trade option for MLB teams.

Here are three ideal trade destinations for Dominic Smith.

 

3) Dominic Smith joins the Tampa Bay Rays

Due to a variety of factors including injuries and inconsistency, the Rays have been a revolving door at first base. Smith could end that quandary.

The left-handed hitter would provide manager Kevin Cash with a line-drive hitter. Jordan Luplow became the team’s first baseman down the stretch; he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks before the MLB lockout while Mike Brosseau was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. In other words, Smith could become the Rays’ primary first baseman.

Smith is a respectable first baseman. The issue has been him being in the same organization as Pete Alonso and therefore often playing left field. Under team control through 2024, Smith could be the Rays’ starting first baseman for the next three seasons. When healthy, that could lead to Yandy Diaz playing the hot corner.

Dominic Smith stats (career): .252/.312/.441, 46 home runs and 162 RBIs across 1,110 at-bats

Simultaneously, Smith can move to left when Cash makes an in-game defensive switch. That versatility, which was created by his situation with the Mets, works in Tampa Bay’s favor. He’s a player nearing his prime who perfectly fits their mold and adds more pop to a power-heavy offense.