Dom Smith heading to Nats on 1-year deal (source)
WASHINGTON — The Nationals prioritized including a lefty bat to their lineup this offseason, they usually did so with first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith on Tuesday.
Smith has agreed to a one-year take care of Washington, a supply informed MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Smith’s deal is for $2 million and contains one other $2 million in efficiency bonuses, in line with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The membership has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a bodily.
Smith, 27, was non-tendered by the Mets in November after he hit .194 with no house run in 58 video games. The former eleventh total decide within the 2013 Draft performed the primary six seasons of his Major League profession in Queens.
Smith might issue into the Nationals’ roster building at a number of positions: He has performed the vast majority of his innings in left area, the place the Nats will want a starter if Lane Thomas shifts to proper. Smith has a profession .979 fielding share in 1,330 frames logged in left, most just lately beginning 107 video games on the place in 2021.
Smith additionally has intensive taking part in time at first base (1,152 innings), together with 20 begins in 2022. He might again up Joey Meneses, particularly if fellow potential first-base backup Jeimer Candelario is called the beginning third baseman.
The Nationals additionally might tab Smith because the designated hitter, or one in every of a number of in the event that they tackle the function by committee. He made 14 begins because the DH final season.
Smith is on the lookout for an offensive turnaround in a brand new NL East uniform. A profession .246/.308/.424 hitter with 46 homers in 447 video games, Smith broke out within the shortened 2020 season, posting a .993 OPS with 10 homers and 21 doubles in 50 video games. But he struggled to copy that success within the following seasons and was demoted to the Minors final 12 months earlier than being non-tendered.
The Nationals have added different veterans to their roster by way of non-tendered free brokers this offseason. In November, they signed Candelario, 29, to a one-year contract following his six-year tenure with the Tigers.
Smith is the second former Met to hitch the Nats this winter after right-hander Trevor Williams inked a two-year deal with Washington in December. Smith and Williams had been teammates from 2021-22.
The Nationals’ 40-man roster is now full, and a corresponding roster transfer will have to be made to clear area for Smith.
