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| Dominic Smith Is Now Playing Outfield | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 20 2018, 01:50 AM (146 Views) | |
| Tolerance | May 20 2018, 01:50 AM Post #1 |
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No, this isn't me and wishful thinking imagining the idea I've been pushing since spring training is just in my head. It's for real. In his first pro game in the outfield, yesterday, he played right field and got an assist. Nice. https://nypost.com/2018/05/19/dominic-smith-playing-the-outfield-for-mets-triple-a-team/ |
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| joedabum | May 20 2018, 06:57 AM Post #2 |
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Saw this in today's Newsday and immediately thought of you. Was going to post kudos to you, but, as per usual, you are ahead of the curve. So, I do not here start a new thread but only reply to yours. Congrats to you, Tol!
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| Lucky | May 20 2018, 12:12 PM Post #3 |
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Good call Tol. Though I'd prefer Dom remain at 1B this potential move does open up the position for Alonso assuming the stars align(Both live up to their billing). Smith reportedly has a strong throwing arm and since he has played corner OF in high school the transition may not be difficult. This move may set the stage for an imminent promotion to Vegas for Peter. Now lets discuss the problem(dilemma?) here. I'll put it in question form. What do Nimmo,Conforto,Bruce and Smith have in common? Hint: This creates a top heavy overload offensively that becomes a disadvantage on some nights. Here's another thought. If the intention is to make room for everyday play for Smith does that dictate the eventual departure of both Bruce and Cespedes in the near future? |
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| joedabum | May 20 2018, 12:56 PM Post #4 |
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Well, although you've directed this to Tol, in the best spirit of the forum, i'll weigh in with my 2 cents (plain) also. Firstly, before we even have to consider a problem, we have to consider if we have an outfielder. We really don't know what we have in Smith. There's a difference between HS and MLB, so let's just see what we have first. Assuming all that is behind us, and he can play OF at the MLB level, then Cespedes is still a righty, so I don't think management would opt out of his services. On the other hand, he's always getting hurt, but he's a more than attractive option to an pennant contender after July 31, as he was with us. So he could be moved, if that's viewed as advantageous. Secondly, I agree with the fact that, by hook or by crook, the youngsters are finally getting daily playing time. I can't wait to see what happens when Nimmo and Conforto play regularly without their wondering if they're going to be in the lineup the next day (Lefty Righty matchups). Bruce also could be dealt at the trading deadline. As they say, "I did it once, I can do it again!" There's also a potential logjam in the infield, what with Rivera eventually coming back and then this guy McNeil. Always always always moving parts. Fun to play the game. Fun to play the game. As for the lefty preponderance, Keith Hernandez didn't sit, and he did pretty well. Let's see what we have. Just because you have lefties doesn't necessarily mean you're at a disadvantage. What were those guys names? Ruth ? Gehrig? Didn't they bat 3-4? Sure, this is an example in the extreme, but the Yankees had Skowron, Bobby Richardson, Tony Kubek, Clete Boyer, Elston Howard (LF), Mantle, and Maris and Berra. So 5 of the 8 were righties. That worked out ok. We'd have an all lefty outfield and 4 of the 5 infielders righties (or switch hitters), so total of 5 lefties. More righties than lefties pitching in the biggies, so lefties actually more advantageous. Conclusion: wouldn't be the worst thing ever to happen to the Mets. Wouldn't worry about it. |
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| Tolerance | May 20 2018, 04:58 PM Post #5 |
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The injury prone Cespedes has full no-trade clause and got it to ensure stability in his personal and family life. I think he plays out his contract as a Met. I don't think Bruce is trade bait before July 2019 at the earliest. Anything earlier would look bad too soon trading someone who returned on good faith for another go-round. This team is playing better baseball with the youngsters who have opportunity to prove their worth and are taking advantage growing into their games. Nimmo and Conforto are playing winning baseball. Conforto taking good routes in CF, Nimmo starting to steal bases. Rosario's bat is waking up. And even Flores with defensive and speed improvements... shorter takeback and quicker release on his throws - and longer strides on the basepaths and foul territory. This Quad provides youthful energy we've needed. At the point Nimmo stops striking out so much and puts the ball in play more often, he should approach .280-.300 hitting in addition to his incredible OBP. It's no accident that his Batting Average With Balls in Play (BABIP) is well above .300 in his three big league seasons. When he puts the ball in play, good things happen and he needs to do more of that. He should make himself indispensable such that he should continue to get reams of playing time even upon Cespedes return. I have previously floated outside the box position change for Cespedes - infield - and am doing so again to convert to infielder in the offseason. If Mets don't re-up Cabrera, they will have opening at second. Cespedes is known to take grounders during pregame and looks good doing it. Converting to infield would take a lot of work but would hopefully reduce injury through reduced in-game running. Cespedes to infield also opens up left field for an in-house option. If the 2019 outfield consists of Bruce, Conforto, Nimmo, Lagares and TJ Rivera and Dom Smith as mix and match options, this provides depth as well as first base platoon opportunities which could include Alonso who hopefully has also gained versatility at third in the interim. It may be possible to carry Smith, Alonso, Flores, TJ, Frazier, Cespedes, Bruce, Nimmo, Lagares, Conforto on same 2019 team with Smith, Alonso and TJ replacing Gonzalez, Cabrera and Reyes. Here's A Recent Double Off The Slimmed Down Smith's Bat. http://clips.milb.com/milb/2018/05/18/44-543500-2018-05-17/web_cut/milb_2056183683_1000K.mp4 The weight loss and muscle gain, makes him look like different person. Edited by Tolerance, May 20 2018, 05:03 PM.
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| Tolerance | May 22 2018, 02:14 AM Post #6 |
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Smith played left field on Monday and AAA manager says will play outfield 2-3x per week and looks pretty athletic. Twitter: Las Vegas 51's Beat Writer, Betsy Helfand "Dominic Smith will be in the outfield 2-3x per week, DeFrancesco said. He played right field a couple nights ago, left field tonight." "Tony DeFrancesco on Dominic Smith's first couple games in the outfield: "He looks pretty athletic. He's moving around. He made a couple nice plays today. Two throws to home plate. With the situation in New York, it just may be another option down the road if he can handle that." ------------------------- She also notes that Gavin Cechini's heading to New York for further review of a foot injury (HBP May 9) that's had him on DL. And Vance Worley whom the Mets signed not that long ago has elbow issues. https://twitter.com/betsyhelfand Edited by Tolerance, May 22 2018, 02:15 AM.
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| Tolerance | May 29 2018, 09:24 PM Post #7 |
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Very interesting comments from Smith in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on May 27th about playing outfield including being told when drafted that he might be asked to play outfield at some point if Mets acquire a dominant first baseman even though the plan was to make him full time first baseman. He played outfield almost every game in his junior and senior seasons. Here's a Taste: Per Smith, But Read The Whole Thing Through The Link: "They told me after the draft, they said I would play first, but they said if we sign a big-time slugger or somebody can really hit at first base, then they’re comfortable to moving me to the outfield and I feel OK,” Smith said. “I really worked this offseason to get my body in good enough shape so just in case something did happen or just so I could show my team, the Mets and myself, that I’m more versatile than just playing first base.” https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/51sbaseball/51s-first-baseman-dominic-smith-sees-time-in-the-outfield/ |
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| TuffleShuffle | Jun 19 2018, 05:52 PM Post #8 |
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Well Tol, tonight you get your wish. "Dominic Smith is starting in left field and batting fifth for the Mets on Tuesday night against the Rockies." |
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| joedabum | Jun 19 2018, 08:16 PM Post #9 |
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Who's on first? I don't know. Third base. |
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| Tolerance | Jun 19 2018, 08:39 PM Post #10 |
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He handled the routine plays well in his only prior Mets appearance there and said needed to make adjustments about the ball off the fence. Better him there than Wilmer Flores. Dom played plenty outfield in high school and scouting reports were favorable for outfield play as pro. Flores's footspeed has improved enough to not be a footspeed disaster in the outfield but he doesn't have the background Smith does. I'm going to post a thread on the new board about statcast footspeed measurements of Mets. Turns out Flores is faster than Bruce - well the 2018 version of Bruce whose played injured all season and has lost foot speed since 2017 with Cleveland. |
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| Lucky | Jun 23 2018, 03:37 PM Post #11 |
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Naturally! He is our left fielder. Who is our left fielder? No! He plays first base! What will be at second base today? Correct!
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2:36 PM Jul 11