MLB Trade Deadline: 10 Potential Relief Pitcher Targets

#9: Joe Smith

The Los Angeles Angels aren’t quite out of the race yet, but they may be before long. Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney and C.J. Wilson are all on the 60-day disabled list, and there are plenty of other big names out with short-term injuries. Even with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, it’s hard to overcome that many losses. Which leads us to Joe Smith, the Angels’ outstanding side-arming right-hander.

Smith is in the final year of a three-year, $15 million contract, and he’s posted a pretty rough ERA, at least for him: 3.91 over 25 games. A change of scenery could be just what Smith needs, as he’s been consistently outstanding over the last five years.

The worry for some teams is that Smith’s arm has been heavily used. Across 10 seasons, Smith has pitched 544 total innings, and it’s possible that he’s finally wearing down. This season’s struggles appear to come back to a handful of bad outings, however, and his low cost makes him worth the risk for two to three months of work.

Possible Landing Spot: Cleveland Indians

Smith and the Cleveland Indians were deep into contract talks before he signed with the Angels, since the right-hander is from Ohio and spent five years in the Tribe’s bullpen. The Indians front office wouldn’t budge past two years, so Smith eventually moved on, but a reunion is not out of the question – especially given that Tribe leadership has changed since then.

Next: A Lesser-Known Closer