Sometimes, the best baseball trades are the ones that aren’t made.

Every team has a player who, for whatever reason, is constantly rumored to be on the trading block. Often, the player is young and has a high ceiling, but is blocked by an entrenched star at his natural position.

Dominic Smith has been such a player for the Mets over the past few winters. Taken by the Mets with the 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Smith was projected to be a mainstay at first base in Queens.

He’s since been passed on the organizational depth chart by Pete Alonso, the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year and home run king. Despite this development, the Mets have held onto Smith rather than trading him away.

As it turns out, keeping him was the right decision. Smith will play a major role on the 2020 Mets, both as a pinch hitter and designated hitter.

2019 Breakout

Now that the designated hitter has arrived in the National League, the Mets will have additional opportunities to insert Dominic Smith’s bat into the lineup. Before his 2019 was interrupted by a foot injury, Smith was in the midst of a career-best campaign. Smith slashed .282/.355/.525 with 11 home runs over 89 games, including a three-run, walk-off homer to end the regular season.

Smith produced those solid numbers despite the lack of a defined role. He started the year as a late-inning defensive replacement for Pete Alonso, but when Alonso instantly cemented himself as a franchise cornerstone, Smith’s role evolved. He began spending more time in the outfield, and was also called upon as a pinch hitter. Though he was never guaranteed to make the starting lineup, Smith made the most of his opportunities.

Super Sub

Smith’s knack for clutch hits off the bench is a testament to his resolve and flexibility. For his career, the 25-year-old has batted .347 with a 1.087 OPS in games he did not start. He has eighty-three career plate appearances in those situations, enough of a sample to indicate that he’s comfortable entering games in the later innings. As demonstrated by his blast to end the 2019 season, Smith can belt a “Dom Bomb” when his team needs it the most.

Manager Luis Rojas will use Smith off the bench when appropriate, but there’s also reason to believe he’ll insert him into the DH spot on a semi-regular basis. Simply put, Smith is not an outfielder. He gave it his all when asked to patrol left field, and mostly avoided embarrassment. That said, his footwork is not advanced enough for him to save runs by making diving catches or leaping grabs.

One could argue that he’s a better defender than Pete Alonso at first base, but, barring injury or a significant slump, Alonso won’t be spending time on the bench. For Smith to make his mark in 2020, he’ll either need to continue his pinch-hit magic or establish himself as a full-time designated hitter.

From PH to DH

Ultimately, keeping Dominic Smith could prove to be a stroke of genius for Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen. Smith’s ability to produce when he doesn’t start is an invaluable asset, one that can make the difference between a win and a loss. His career numbers off the bench are also significant because they highlight what he can achieve in a specialized role.

Pinch-hitting is considered one of baseball’s harder tasks because the player must deliver without the benefit of previous at-bats to assess a pitcher’s stuff. The fact that Smith is unfazed by pinch-hitting means that he may also be well-suited to DH.

After all, focusing all of one’s attention on hitting is not as simple as many believe. If a position player endures a tough day at the dish, he can still take solace in making a sparkling defensive play. The designated hitter does not have the same luxury, which is why only a select few have the mental fortitude to thrive in the role.

Since Smith has proven he can handle the pressures of coming off the bench, his transition to DH should be seamless.

Searle’s Final Say

Dominic Smith is the ultimate team player, one who will flourish no matter which duties he is given. He can deliver a key pinch hit, make a stunning scoop at first base, and bring a smile to his teammates in the dugout. Having Smith on the roster will allow first-time skipper Luis Rojas to optimize his lineup configuration, and to manage Pete Alonso’s workload more effectively. For instance, Rojas can put the sure-handed Smith at first base and Alonso at DH, essentially giving Alonso half a day off.

It should be noted that Smith’s value goes beyond his skills as a ballplayer. Dom exudes positivity, and his presence in the clubhouse is necessary for keeping the team loose. Trading him away during the offseason would have been understandable, but the Mets will benefit from keeping him in the fold.