Pete Alonso has gone on record saying that he prefers playing first base to being the designated hitter, but given what he's done in just two games as a DH this season, he might want to reconsider at least taking a few turns with the "half day off."
In Wednesday afternoon's win over Philly, Alonso went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer, and five RBI – his first five-ribbie game since August of 2019 – and took the NL lead with 10 runs driven in. Alonso hit a grand slam as the DH in Washington last Saturday, giving him both of his homers and nine of his 10 RBI as an offense-only player.
Still, he'd rather be playing defense, too.
"I'd rather be out there, but Buck's the one who writes the lineup and he's trying to win every single day," Alonso said. "I'd love to play first base every day, but Dom's a great first baseman as well. I feel like me being out there helps the team the most, but Buck is trying to win every single day. I trust Buck and every single lineup he writes. He's all in, I'm all in."
With the universal DH now in the National League, Showalter will likely try to rotate several players through that spot, in order to keep hot bats in the lineup while also keeping everyone fresh.
Smith, a first baseman by trade, is now also the odd man out most of the time in the Mets' current four-man outfield mix, and with several other versatile pieces like J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, and even Robinson Cano, there are going to be days Alonso ends up with the 0 next to his name on the lineup card.
Not his favorite, but he's all about the team first.
"I just want to do what I can each day wherever it is, whether it's at first base or not," Alonso said. "I know I'm a damn good first baseman, but whatever my job is that day, I just want to do it well."
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