Miami Palms Blog

Breck Smythe, utility infielder last season for the Palms who spent most of his time on the corners, has elected to take a role with a team that will give him some more playing time. Today, the Royals announced that Breck Smythe has signed a contract to play with them in Kansas City. Smythe stands to gain more playing time at first, especially, where the Royals split Billy Butler and Mike Jacobs. Jacobs has been rumored to be trade bait, so Smythe will provide some depth there. With the Palms acquisition of Josh Fields, Smythe became expendable in Miami, though his clubhouse demeanor will certainly be missed.

The Palms will not follow the Rays schedule, save for the length of series and off days. Instead, they will play their own schedule, so they can play those very same Rays with more regularity. The schedule is found below. Angels away 3 Twins away 3 Red Sox away 3 Angels home 4 Mariners home 3 Indians home 3 Angels away 2 Rangers away 4 Rays away 3 A's home 3 Orioles home 3 White Sox home 3 Orioles away 2 Rays home 2 Cubs home 3 Yankees away 3 Rays away 4 Orioles away 3 Mariners away 3 Twins away 3 Yankees home 3 Braves away 3 Brewers away 3 Reds away 3 Phillies home 3 Nationals home 3 Twins home 2 White Sox away 4 Tige...

Despite being a free agent, Billy Dupont has signed a new deal to stay in Miami. The Palms would have had their 4th 1st baseman in as many years had Dupont elected to sign elsewhere. Dupont had this to say about his new contract, "I think I began to mature as a hitter and really began to learn the position as the season went on last year. I think most people still see me as an outfielder though." Dupont's speed is unusual for a 1st baseman, however the current outfield in Miami is very swift, making Dupont's transition to 1st base more palatable. In the end, his enjoyment of the position may have been the deciding factor in coming back to Miami.