The Reds have signed outfielder Mallex Smith to a minor league contract, notes Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Louisville.
Smith, 28, once looked like a potential impact center fielder. He hit .296/.367/.406 across 544 plate appearances with the Rays in 2018, a year in which he stole 40 bases. The Mariners acquired him that offseason as part of the deal that sent Mike Zunino to Tampa Bay, but Smith never followed up on that success. He did steal another 46 bags with Seattle in 2019, but the left-handed hitter slumped to a .227/.300/.335 line over 566 trips to the plate that year. Smith got off to an even worse start in 2020 and was ultimately outrighted off the Mariners roster.
After electing minor league free agency over the offseason, Smith signed a non-roster deal with the Mets. He didn’t appear in a game with the New York organization and was released last month, though. He’ll now look to work his way back in Cincinnati.
Mallex Smith will replace fellow former big league outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. on the Bats roster. Dwight Smith, who appeared in the majors with the Blue Jays and Orioles from 2017-20, has been released from his own minor league deal with the Reds, per Hilburn-Trenkle. The 28-year-old hit just .220/.327/.283 over 147 plate appearances with Louisville.
Mallex Smith was the invisible man. Milb.com had him at the Mets Alternative Training Site since the minor league seasons started. He was never assigned to any club. The Mets had a need in centerfield and went thru Nimmo and Fargas and Paid the infamous dollar for Cameron Maybin ans rhen also brought up Mason Williams without Mallex Smith’s name ever being mentioned ( except for when i brought the name up in these mlbtraderumor comments). I truly don’t understand where he was and just how he resurfaced. There is a story underneath this story. I wish him well.
I was gonna say – a serviceable outfielder in the Mets org and he didn’t get a look?
I think they under the radar released him before they lost all their OFrs… for what it’s worth, he’s a bad fielding CFr whose only asset is speed so he wouldn’t have solved much anyway.
The Mets didn’t release him until May 28. He supposedly had a terrible time at the alternate site, which explains why he was passed over in favor of all those other outfielders. All those Mets injuries were his big chance and he just didn’t show anything. A tough situation for him given how quickly the Mets pulled the plug, and the fact that they did it when they were desperate for OF help.
Wow! When you tank at the alternate site, that really says something. That’s like sending a player back to t-ball to work on their swing, and they end up with a 40% K rate.
can he pitch ? if not, they do not need him
If he ever gets on base, hope that the state of Florida bashes him in the face…..he wears a big state of Florida necklace and it literally bashes him in the face when he slides
Dwight Jr. Looks like Tony Gwynn compared to Mallex.
Smith for Smith
The Reds wanted to save on jersey-printing expenses. They would love to find a player named “Krenchicki” or “Bilardello.”
Mallex had to agree to wear same number before reds would sign him
And to be paid in ramen packets.
Stupid!
Mallex Smith would seem to suggest we might not see Senzel back this year.
Mallet Smith would seem to suggest Louisville needed outfield depth
Exactly. He’s minor league depth. You don’t sign a re-tread no one else wants expecting much. This signing has nothing to do with Senzel or any other future moves. Mallex is literally a player no one wants as even a 4th OFr.
My first thought was a sell-off of Naquin or Castellanos if the Reds a long shots at the trade deadline.
Mallex Smith and Dwight Smith jr… are they the same person?
LOL
I remember Dwight Smith senior…very good contact hitter and fast…mostly hit for average…imagine that…hitting for average…
Finished second to Jerome Walton in 1989 NL ROY, but neither became a star. They wound up with about 900 career hits combined. Limited value on both.
Both Smith and Walton were on 89 Cubs. Played alongside HOF Andre Dawson Ryne Sandburg Greg Maddox. Honorable mention to Don Zimmer as manager and someone without any awards I know of yet was involved in major leagues for his entire adult life. Rick Sutcliffe was also a dominant starter for 84 and 89 Cubs.
Last thing the Reds need right now is another OF. Prepping for a possible trade from their current surplus: Akiyama, Aquino, maybe even Senzel?
I agree they don’t need outfielders even is Senzel doesn’t come back this year the team is playing well without him it’s relief pitching they need. The Reds aren’t the only cost conscious club out there look what the Cubs unloaded on off season .