Source: Nats signing former Met Dominic Smith

The Nationals’ search for a left-handed bat has landed on a familiar face from the National League East: Dominic Smith.

The Nats have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the former Mets first baseman and outfielder, guaranteeing him $2 million plus incentives, a source familiar with the terms confirmed.

Smith, 27, had been a member of the Mets since 2017, producing a .246/.308/.424 slash line with 46 homers, 179 RBIs and a .733 OPS over 447 total games. He was non-tendered in November, though, after a rough 2022 season that saw him bat only .194 with zero homers over 152 plate appearances.

USA Today was first to report the signing.

The Nationals had been searching for an affordable, left-handed bat to fill a much-needed hole in their lineup, and Smith certainly fits that bill. It remains to be seen where he’s used in the field, but he could either start in left field, at first base (bumping Joey Meneses to the outfield), serve as designated hitter or be the left-handed portion of a platoon at any of those positions, depending on what manager Davey Martinez needs on a given night.

Regardless of where he plays, the Nationals will be hoping Smith’s bat returns to his earlier career norms.

His best season came in 2020, when he finished 13th in the NL MVP race after batting .316/.377/.616 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs during the shortened, 60-game campaign. He batted .282/.355/.525 with 11 homers in 197 plate appearances the previous year.

The Nationals have been in the market for another hitter for weeks, their stated preference that he be a left-handed corner outfielder. Their only left fielders prior to this move were the unproven Alex Call and Stone Garrett.

Smith is less of sure of a thing than other available free agents like David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, Jurickson Profar, Trey Mancini or Andrew McCutchen, but he’s also more affordable and unlike some of those players provides the left-handed bat Martinez sought.

His positional versatility also helps give Martinez more options as he fills out a daily lineup expected to include very few proven players.