Mets Morning News: Is Dominic Smith’s hard-hit rate a reason to be optimistic?

Meet the Mets

David Adler uses Statcast data to give Mets fans reason to be hopeful that Dominic Smith will improve in 2018.

Given recent news that the Mets are still scoping the market and may yet make a splash this offseason, John Harper weighs their options.

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz shooting guard and NBA rookie of the month, once dreamed of being a professional baseball player and has ties to the Mets.

Curtis Granderson did his third interview with the “A Drink With” web series and spoke about his baseball journey and charity work.

Around the National League East

The Washington Post speculates on whether the Nationals will sign yet another big-name Boras client.

Despite rumors that the Marlins may flip Starlin Castro, Joe Frisario of MLB.com predicts he will stay in Miami.

Around Major League Baseball

The Blue Jays acquired Yangervis Solarte from the Padres in exchange for two prospects.

The Indians plan to move Jason Kipnis back to second base, despite rumors this offseason that the Mets were trying to acquire him to play second base in Flushing.

Orioles’ pitcher Kevin Gausman celebrated his birthday by playing catch on a mountain.

Jim Duquette breaks down two trade proposals that could result in Machado wearing pinstripes.

Joe Posnanski makes the case for Vlad in the Hall of Fame—and it’s likely to happen.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Robert Wolff explored the potential advantages of a reunion with Carlos Gomez.

This Date in Mets History

Tom Terrific—The Franchise—Tom Seaver was elected into the Hall of Fame with 98.84% of the vote on January 7, 1992. At the time, this was the closest to unanimous a vote had ever been; Seaver has since been surpassed by Ken Griffey Jr., who received 99.32% of the vote last year.