Hiram Moreno
Although the New York Mets finally seem to be living up to the hype by sitting comfortably atop the NL East division and by having the second-best record in the entire MLB, not everything seems to be happiness among the Queens’ team, as one of their players recently expressed his frustration due to his current situation in the team.
We are talking about Dominic Smith, who works as a first baseman or designated hitter on the Mets roster. The Los Angeles native is disappointed with his playing time and has publicly stated his intention to leave the organization if another team provides him with what he desires: more team participation.
I just want to play every day. To be honest, that’s what I want. I like where this team is going. I feel like I can make an impact on this team in a lot of different ways, and that’s being in the lineup every day, in my opinion. But as a person, after being here since I was 22… now I’m 26, and I’m still in the same position. I’m close to being 27. if there’s a team out there that wants me to play and wants to let me play, I would love to play every day. That’s just how I feel about that.
Dominic Smith to Anthony Rieber of Newsday.
Does Dominic Smith deserve more playing time with the New York Mets?
The irritation of a player who isn’t playing with his team is understandable, and it’s nothing new in sports, but the truth is that Dominic Smith hasn’t earned the right to be in the New York Mets lineup on a consistent basis.It can even be said that the player has no place on the team after the franchise sent him to San Diego in early April in a trade that fell through.
Going into this weekend, Smith is batting just .203/.291/.261, and has driven in just 11 runs while yet to hit a home run in 69 at-bats. Pete Alonso has won him the race at first base for the New York Mets thus far, and he has been sharing the designated hitter position with JD Davis.
Buck Showalter, the manager of the New York Mets, has attempted to defuse tensions by stating that there are things to consider while selecting the lineup.
You see certain pitchers and certain different approaches. Some guys have strengths and weaknesses.
Buck Showalter, manager of the Mets.
The truth is that positions are won with good performance, and Dominic Smith will have to improve his game in the rest of the season if he wants to obtain that coveted participation with the New York Mets.
