SODO MOJO
FanSided

Mariners Reportedly Express Interest in Angels Joe Smith

By Riley Baker

Apr 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) pitches in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Oakland Athletics 4 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) pitches in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Oakland Athletics 4 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Mariners have reportedly expressed interest in Angels’ reliever Joe Smith.

Getting into August and September, a team can never have too much pitching. I’m not sure how much more value Smith will add to the bullpen, but the added depth certainly wouldn’t hurt.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, teams all around the MLB will be wheeling and dealing as they decide whether or not they are buyers or sellers. The Mariners are right about on the line and hopefully Jerry Dipoto decides to buy.

After acquiring reliever Drew Storen earlier in the week, the Mariners are now eyeing Angels reliever Joe Smith. Smith’s name has been floated around among several rumors the past week, and is expected to be moved by the Aug. 1 deadline.

More from SoDo Mojo

Smith’s numbers this year are not overwhelming, but adding another arm to the mix would be a plus as we near the final stretch of the 2016 season. Over 35.1 innings pitched this year, the right-hander has an ERA of 4.06 with 24 strikeouts and six saves.

The Wright State product had his best year just two years ago in 2014 with the Angels, finishing the season with an ERA of 1.81 over 71.2 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts. Maybe the hope, as it was with the Storen addition, would be that Smith finds success with a change of scenery. Especially with the scenery changing to the historically pitcher-friendly Safeco Field.

Over his career, Smith has thrown his fastball about 68 percent of the time, his slider about 30 percent, and his change about 2 percent. His fastball wont overpower anyone, maxing out around 90-91 miles per hour, but he can put away hitters with his slider.

Next: Pirates Blow Mariners out of the Water

For now, this is just a rumor, but who knows? Joe Smith could be a Mariner by the end of the week. But there will certainly be a lot going on over the next few days.

Home/Mariners News