Report: Cubs trade for another reliever |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Smith from the Los Angeles Angels for minor league right-handed pitcher Jesus Castillo.
Smith, 32, is 40-27 with a 2.94 ERA (182 ER/556.1 IP) in 623 major league relief appearances covering the last 10 seasons with the New York Mets (2007-08), Cleveland Indians (2009-13) and Los Angeles Angels (2014-16). He has reached 70 relief outings in each of the last five seasons and has pitched in both closing and set-up situations the last three years, totaling 26 saves and 56 holds since the start of the 2014 campaign. In his career, Smith has limited foes to a .226 batting average and .306 on-base percentage while allowing only 0.60 home runs per nine innings, contributing to a .326 career slugging percentage against. He has limited right-handed hitters to a career .214 batting average against. Smith is 1-4 with six holds, six saves and a 3.82 ERA (16 ER/37.2 IP) in 38 relief appearances with the Angels this season. In his last 17 outings in the last two-plus months starting on May 23, he has pitched to a 2.87 ERA (5 ER/15.2 IP). Castillo, 20, is 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA (12 ER/33.0 IP) in seven starts for Single-A Eugene this season. He was originally acquired by the Cubs as part of the trade that sent outfielder Tony Campana to the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 18, 2013. Joe Smith traded to the Cubs.
Wishing @JSThree8 all the best as he joins the @Cubs! One of the best guys I've ever been around in baseball! Solid pitcher too!
