The Washington Nationals have agreed to phrases on a one-year, $2 million contract with Dominic Smith, a supply informed ESPN on Tuesday, confirming a number of stories.
Smith, 27, supplies the Nationals with an skilled left-handed hitter who can contribute at first base, left subject or designated hitter.
Smith was non-tendered by the New York Mets across the center of November, on the heels of a tough 2022 season that ended within the minor leagues.
A primary-round select of highschool 9 years in the past, Smith broke out in his age-24 season in 2019, posting an .881 OPS in 89 video games, then excelled throughout the COVID-19-shortened season of 2020, slashing .316/.377/.616 whereas ending thirteenth in Nationwide League MVP voting. However Smith’s manufacturing fell off thereafter, his slash line dropping to .233/.298/.345 in 645 plate appearances from 2021 to 2022.
Smith misplaced enjoying time at DH early on to Robinson Cano this previous season, then struggled offensively after Cano’s launch, sprained his proper ankle and spent the final six weeks with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. The Mets opted to take away Smith from their roster reasonably than pay him the $4 million or so he may have earned in his third yr of arbitration. His new contract reportedly comes with a further $2 million in incentives.
With the Nats, clearly in rebuilding mode, Smith may evolve into an on a regular basis first baseman — a place he is higher suited to defensively, however one he by no means established himself at with the Mets because of Pete Alonso‘s emergence. USA Right now first reported Smith’s settlement with the Nationals.