The New York Mets just lost their primary designated hitter. Yoenis Cespedes, who had hit a couple of home runs this season but couldn’t truly get going at the plate, opted out of the season on Sunday in controversial fashion.
The slugger didn’t announce his decision until after Sunday’s New York Mets game against the Atlanta Braves had already started, and he did it, according to reports, through his agent. The team even released a statement explaining that they hadn’t heard from Cespedes.
Anyway, the Mets need to move on, despite the fact that they had basically planned their entire designated hitter spot plan around Cespedes. He was their top option, and now, they will have to replace him without so much of a talent dropoff.
The Mets’ in-house candidate
Fortunately for the Mets, they have a quality in-house candidate to pick up most of the slack in Cespedes’ absence. Dominic Smith, the talented slugger who was the team’s first round draft pick back in 2013, figures to receive an expanded opportunity following the Cespedes’ controversial opt-out.
And Smith, a natural first baseman who the Mets tried in the outfield in the last couple of years in an attempt to look for playing time, has the talent to return good numbers. Last season, he mashed to the tune of a .282/.355/.525 line with a .368 wOBA and a 133 wRC+: that means he was 33 percent better than your average hitter.
Smith belted 11 home runs, scored 35 runs and drove in 25 in 89 games and 197 plate appearances. Many of those timely hits were as a pinch-hitter, a role in which he also excels. The Mets haven’t said anything regarding the future of their DH spot, but Smith is a favorite of manager Luis Rojas and will, no doubt, see an increase in playing time.
This season, Smith has already a home run in five games and 16 plate appearances, slashing a healthy .250/.375/.500 with a 142 wRC+.
It’s tantalizing to think about what Smith can do with ample opportunities.