District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals Sign 1B/OF Dominic Smith

By Nick Meyers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 03: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets in action against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field on July 03, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Rangers 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 03: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets in action against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field on July 03, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Rangers 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Nationals struck in Free Agency for the first time in 2023 today, as they have agreed to a deal with Free Agent 1B/OF Dominic Smith, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The deal is still being finalized, but Nightengale reports it is a one year agreement. Robert Murray of FanSided is reporting the deal is just for $2 Million, so a low risk deal for the Nats. Also of note, Nightengale says Smith was signed to play first base, which means Joey Meneses is likely to stick in RF to start 2023.

Smith, now entering his age 28 season, was with the New York Mets for the past several seasons and struggled mightily in 2022. He hit just .194 with a lowly .560 OPS and zero homeruns in 152 plate appearances. His best season came in the shortened 2020 campaign, in which he had 10 home runs in 199 plate appearances and a .316 batting average with a .993 OPS. He is now the second former Met to join the Nationals, as he follows former teammate Trevor Williams to DC, who signed with the club in early December.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 22: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets reacts to hitting a pop fly during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 22, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 22: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets reacts to hitting a pop fly during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 22, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Nats General Manager Mike Rizzo stated back at the Winter Meetings that the team had been looking for a power bat, specifically a left-handed power bat, but I am not sure Smith necessarily qualifies. His career high in home runs in any given season is just 11, and since 2020, has endured significant cold-spells offensively. Perhaps the Nationals see something on tape they feel they can fix, but nevertheless, Smith seems to be penciled in as this team’s Opening Day First Baseman for 2023.

As it stands now:

Catcher – Keibert Ruiz

First Base – Dominic Smith

Second Base – Luis Garcia

Third Base – Jeimer Candelario

Shortstop – CJ Abrams

Left Field – Lane Thomas

Center Field – Victor Robles

Right Field – Joey Meneses

It wouldn’t surprise me if the team made additional moves for bench spots, particularly a backup catcher or someone with positional versatility, but the lineup above seems to be the one the Nationals are rolling with to start the upcoming season.

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