New York Mets: Adrian Gonzalez’s release means Dominic Smith must prove himself
By Alex Jordan
The New York Mets released struggling first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and promoted Dominic Smith. Now, Smith must prove that he’s worthy of the promotion.
A win wasn’t enough to save Adrian Gonzalez. After the New York Mets beat the New York Yankees Sunday night, Adrian Gonzalez was released by the team.
Gonzalez was struggling at the time of his release. He was in a 1-22 slump. After going 0-3 on Sunday with three strikeouts.
The first baseman hit .172 with a .475 OPS in his last 17 games. Gonzalez is hitting .237 with six home runs, 26 RBIs and 34 strikeouts this season.
So who’s going to be on first? The answer is Dominic Smith who is being promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Smith is hitting .260 with two home runs,16 doubles, and 25 RBIs. Last year in 49 games for the Mets he hit .198 with nine home runs and 16 RBIs.
While those numbers aren’t great, Smith got the promotion and the Mets see him as possibly their first baseman of the future.
“It wasn’t a now-or-never situation here today,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com after Sunday’s game about the move. The Mets kept making moves which included designating catcher Jose Lobaton for assignment and calling up Ty Kelly.
Smith entered spring training with a shot at the first base job. However, he was late for the first spring training game and then battled a quad injury.
Now, he has the chance to prove that he should be the Mets first baseman of the future. He needs to capitalize on this opportunity. Otherwise, Peter Alonso will become the Mets first baseman.
The argument is being made of Alonso getting the promotion instead of Smith. Alonso is hitting .310 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs this season with Double-A Binghamton.
Those numbers are worthy of a promotion, however, the Mets won’t call Alonso to the majors at all this year, according to Mets radio announcer Howie Rose.
Maybe they will move him to Triple-A since he won’t be going to the majors this year, at least it feels unlikely.
Next: Why the Mets are waiting to call up Alonso
So, Dominic Smith, it’s time for you to prove yourself and show that you deserve the promotion you got. If you don’t prove yourself than Alonso will take your job.