Mallex

Smith

Smith hasn’t appeared in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he got into 14 contests for the Mariners. The 29-year-old speedster led the majors with 46 stolen bases during the 2019 season. He signed a minor league contract last offseason with the Blue Jays, but wound up being released in early June after playing just 25 games at Triple-A Buffalo. He would make sense as a pinch-running specialist in the postseason on a contender, but that’s about it at this stage of his career.

Smith inked a minor league contract with the Blue Jays back in November and was hitting .195/.319/.208 with 11 stolen bases across 91 plate appearances this season at Triple-A Buffalo. The 29-year-old speedster would make sense for a contending team as a late-inning pinch-running specialist.

Smith was actually acquired from the Reds in August before finishing the 2021 season in the Jays’ minor league system. The 28-year-old offers speed and defense, but has appeared in just 14 games at the major league level since the start of 2020.

Smith was signed by the Reds on June 22. The outfielder hit .231/.296/.292 in seven plate appearances for Triple-A Louisville, and the speedy left-handed hitter stole four bases in six chances. He provides some depth for Toronto for the remainder of the season.

Smith joined the Mets on a minor league deal over the winter but never appeared in a game in their farm system due to a broken foot and was released on May 31. He’s presumably healthy now and will join up with the Triple-A affiliate of the Reds in Louisville. The 28-year-old speedster is a career .255/.325/.361 hitter in the majors.

Smith would surely be on the Mets’ active roster right now if he were healthy, but he’s recovering from a broken foot and the club evidently didn’t want to way any longer for his recovery. He’ll catch on elsewhere, but it’s not clear when he’ll be physically ready to play.

Smith was once a fantasy darling because of his speed, but has struggled with the bat since. Vizcaino was also once fantasy relevant as a hard-throwing closer, but he’ll likely be looking for a new organization in the coming days.

Mallex Smith has replaced Smith in the lineup. An update on why Smith was removed from the lineup should be available shortly. Stay tuned.

Smith posted an embarrassing .348 OPS for the Mariners in 2020 and was removed from their 40-man roster before the end of the season. He’s one of the best base stealers in the game when given regular playing time, but the Mets figure to have better options next season.

Smith was outrighted back in September off the 40-man roster by the Mariners, and rather than report back, he’s now free to sign with any club. The outfielder would have been a non-tender candidate, anyway, and hit just .220/.293/.332 since the beginning of the 2019 season. He likely will compete for a backup outfield job with someone this spring.