FEB. 7: Smith’s deal comes with a $3MM base salary and $500K in performance bonuses, tweets ESPN’s Buster Olney.
FEB. 4: The Blue Jays have reached an agreement with right-handed reliever Joe Smith on a one-year Major League deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The signing, should it become official, will require a 40-man roster move by Toronto. Smith is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Smith, 33 in March, posted a 3.46 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 1.38 HR/9, and 50.3% groundball rate in 52 innings for the Angels and Cubs. In terms of peripheral stats, it was the veteran sidearmer’s worst campaign since 2010. The Blue Jays will look for Smith to recapture some of his excellence spanning 2011-14, when he was fourth among all relievers with a 2.25 ERA in 271 2/3 innings. Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro has a previous connection to Smith, having acquired him in December 2008 while serving as general manager of the Indians.
Early in the 2016 season, Smith became the top man in the Angels’ bullpen when Huston Street went down with an oblique injury. However, Smith hit the DL himself in June with a hamstring injury. Shortly after his return, he was dealt to the Cubs at the trade deadline. Smith’s time with the Cubs was particularly brief due to a recurrence of the hamstring injury, and he was left off the team’s playoff roster.
The Jays’ contract with Smith comes on the heels of a one-year pact signed with lefty J.P. Howell on Tuesday. Howell will fill the role of the departed Brett Cecil, who signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals. Holdovers in the Blue Jays’ bullpen include Roberto Osuna, Joe Biagini, and Jason Grilli.
With pitchers and catchers reporting in a week for some teams, free agent relievers Joe Blanton, Travis Wood, and David Hernandez are among those still looking for a home.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
yes
Yeah right, another 1 year stopgap signing for the Jays. I pray his arm would be healthy and his performance would reverse and trend up instead of down.
He was injured during the first half. I expect him to be at least a little better
Trends are irrelevant when it comes to relievers.
There are some trends like fastball velocity that are worth considering (for non-junk ball pitchers).
And ground ball rate vs home runs allowed….and spin rate and and and….
Love it, wish they signed him for 2 years though.
1 year is a much better deal for smith
Good sign, guy who can battle it out with O’Day haha
You’re hilarious
Glad he finally signed with someone. Great guy I wished the angels resigned him oh well.
Couldn’t agree more! I was hoping for a reunion with the Mets.
Hey Slim…how can you have hope for something like this with the cheap Wilpons?
Didn’t they resign Cespedes this offseason for like $20-25 million a season? I wouldn’t call that cheap
Love it. Been a solidly above average performer for 10 seasons now. GB rate has trended down but still above 50%.
With a career 42-28 and 2.93 era, hopefully last year was an anomaly and perhaps a wake-up call that it takes work to perpetuate his otherwise excellent stats. Rogers hitter friendly park will be challenging.
He performed well down the stretch for the Cubbies.
Did you seriously just use wins and losses? And for a reliever?! Geez I thought we were past this…
Please don’t take every mention of a stat that YOU have decided to ignore as a PERSONAL affront. It’s tiring. Other people, just like you, are allowed to state their opinions. You don’t have to agree with them. You also don’t owe it to the rest of us to repeat the same comment over and over. I understand MOST ignore relief pitchers w-l records. He didn’t use that stat exclusively. He included it in the body of work, along with stats you do value. Seriously, it is a recorded stat, so its no big deal if he happens to mention it.
Lol… It’s not an opinion. W-L is a terrible stat for any pitcher especially relief pitchers. That’s a fact. It’s not that I’ve decided to ignore W-L, it’s that everyone with a functioning brain has. The only other stat he included is ERA which also isn’t a great stat, especially for relievers. Repeating the same comment over and over? Where else did I mention this? You’re talking about me getting offended but I think that’d be you based on your reaction to my comment. Chill out lol
No need to be a jerk about it though. Haha and it’s better than being 28-42 with a 4.98 Era.
Joe Smith.. I’ve heard that name before I’m pretty sure. It sounds really familiar.
Lots of motel registers feature that name.
Yeah, but he’s got the ID to back it up.
Quite a good move by the blue jays if my biased self should say so. Our bullpen is still the worst in the east though. (See, im not entirely biased). Regardless, I believe the jays are the 2nd best team in the east and will most likely grab the top wild cart spot. For anyone who doesnt follow the jays closely, this is how our team is looking.
1) Travis
2) Donaldson
3) Bautista
4) Morales
5) Tulowitzki
6) Martin
7) Pearce/Smoak
8) Pillar
9) Upton Jr/Carrera/Pompey
1. Sanchez
2. Happ
3. Estrada
4. Stroman
5. Liriano
Bullpen is a little trickier as I think spring training might decide a few jobs but,
Closer – Osuna
SU – Im guessing 2 of Howell, Smith, Biagini and Grilli
MR – Probably Tepera, Loup,
LR – Not honestly sure right now.
All in all, I think this team is really really solid overall, Offensively we are still a massive threat, with maybe one of the best defensive teams in the MLB as well. Also maybe the best rotation in the division (Depending on how Price does for the sox) Should be a great year.
We’re probably a sub 500 team, we will battle it out with the Yanks and O’s all year for 2nd.
No offence, but youre kinda a troll dude. Every post I see from you on here I honestly feel embarrassed as a jays fan because you just dont know what youre talking about half the time.
Bc I think we’ll battle it out for 2nd and be a sub 500 team? Isn’t that just being realistic?
Because being 2nd in the east and having a sub .500 record simultaneously is “realistic”
@Mark, you forgot Sparkman the rule 5 pick. He doesn’t seem like he will stick, but I thought the same with Biagini and was pleasantly surprised.
Curious though, would you rather Tepera over Floyd?
Mark:
True. It’s rare to see a “fan” who is so consistently negative and disparaging towards his team of choice as patborders92 is.
This team as is will be lucky to battle out for a WC and is likely heading for a .500 record. The bullpen is a disaster and will ultimately cost this team.
Tepera, not sure Floyd has anything left
@Lester & Mark
I love the Jays, I’m just not happy with how Shapiro and Atkins are putting this team together. Look at AAs long list of trades, outside of Synderguard what prospect has really turned into something we’re missing? These guys want to go full rebuild and it’s upsetting as a fan after watching so many years of sub 500 teams, being competitive was exciting and I want the good times to keep on rolling. I don’t want to suck for 10 years like the cubs to get back to where we were these past two years
Funny, I feel the same way when I read stuff from the deluded homers…. I guess it takes all kinds, right? Except the homers never end up being right as the Toronto teams inevitably fail far more often than they succeed. Why do people prefer having reality sugar-coated?
cause it tastes better lol
edit: most people want to see roses – this team while built to compete is not built to win. this is shatkins plan. keep fans delusional so they max ticket sales/ad revenues while turning a profit for future use.
Lots of time for more of the prospects that AA traded to turn into good players, you’re acting like they’ve all peaked already. Even some of the older deals are just now starting to bear fruit for those teams, like Joe Musgrove, who looks like he’ll end up being very good.
The jays would have started their rebuild if they thought they were a sub 500 team
I’m thinking probably Gavin Floyd will make the LR if he can be healthy. I also liked what I saw from Danny Barnes. Also Sparkman probably slots in there somewhere if he can be half decent. So maybe loud drops off from there. I haven’t counted but we probably have too many players. Where to put them all
floyd or biaginni are really the only options for LR – however floyd will be injured by june and biaginni will be needed in the rotation. very unlikely that we go a full season again with next to no injuries to our pitching staff again.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Donaldson and Bautista switched in that order.
agree
Or have Morales bat between them.
the problem with that is as soon as morales gets on base there is no more 1st to 3rd, scoring from second. highly doubt he tags on most flies while on 3rd. he should really be batting 5th/6th just for that reason alone. he makes martin look fast.
Is his baserunning really going to be all that different from EE?
yes sadly. not sure if you remember b.molina? EE although slow is actually a very adept baserunner. it was saunders costing us on the paths last year not edwin. morales speed 1/10 EE prob a 3/10. morales also has less power as in less doubles less balls to the gaps in a hitter friendly park.
From an Os fan perspective I don’t see how they can replace the production loss of Encarnacion especially with what looks like a declining Bautista. I like this signing for them because if he does well he could also be a trade chip if Toronto is not in it. Going to be another battle this season I’m sure but I don’t think either team will be able to compete with the Red Sox again
can not replace EE in the lineup. no one can. though with some luck it will happen via health. You’ve seen pearce enough to know he is good vs lefties which keeps smoak in vs righties, – this will help. If Travis and JB can play 140+ we should offset EE loss. The biggest concern for the Jays is their pen. Atkins seem to enjoy dumpster diving. sadly we all know you can not and will not continue to hit lightning in the bottle. They imo used those bolts already via biaginni benoit grilli happ liriano floyd (when healthy). I was almost crapping myself in row 1 sec 242 WC game when we had liriano in the game for multiple innings until EE ended it. If this teams luck with injuries runs out we are screwed.
With EE’s rapidly increasing K rate, I would think that Bautista has a better likelihood of having a rebound season, than EE repeating last year.
maybe his k rate was due to the lack of protection around him? sides a 20%k rate is not the end of the world for a power hitter. Id be more concerned about contact rate if that was an issue which it aint. there is no merits in thinking EE wont continue his production next year
Edwin has been consistently good for how many years now, I wouldn’t cut him short. He’s a monster and will make that contract look like a bargain.
The bottom of that batting order is putrid
A bit of reality to dowse the unjustified enthusiasm
1) Travis – hasn’t been able to stay healthy
2) Donaldson – legit superstar
3) Bautista – defense is terrible, offense? in steep nose dive, and he’s not going to get better at his age
4) Morales – can’t play any D, bad signing, BJ’s need to have a revolving door DH to give players a break from the turf.
5) Tulowitzki – could be replaced with someone making half his salary, only a bit above average player now
6) Martin – see Tulowitzki
7) Pearce/Smoak – Smoak is a AA level player at best, has no business in a big league uniform.
8) Pillar – Can’t hit, don’t like his reckless style of play in OF, only a matter of time before injuries start to become issue with all the dives and crashes
9) Upton Jr/Carrera/Pompey – wow, just awful.
Hey Hank, I agree with some of your scouting (1-5) but not all. Martin is an above average catcher, one of the best at framing, leadership and handling a pitching staff. He has taken pitching staffs to the playoffs 7 out of the last 8 years., His bat production for a catcher is above average at 20/75. Teams would drool having this guy. Smoak is an above average defender at first base, and has major league power. He has AAA strength wrists which means a low batting average and high strike out rate. Pearce is a good piece that can play all over the field. He hits very well when not injured. Pillar can hit well, he is going to be a career .270 hitter 10-15 Hr/50-60 Rbis per year, the second best defensive centerfielder in the AL next to Kiermier. Pompey is an elite base stealer, Carrera is a good piece that all winning teams need to have as depth and upton can be a decent piece or a write off depending on the year.. He is good depth.
Maybe not a massive threat on offense or one of the best defensive teams in MLB like some of the enthusiastic Jays fans might be predicting, but way closer to that than the extreme polar opposite analysis provided in the response by Hank.
jimmertee’s middleground is right around where I’d be comfortable predicting things. Not hard to see the true fan shine through, good take jimmertee!
Except the agreeing about the 1-5 parts now that I read more closely.
Tulo could be replaced with someone making 1/10th his salary but it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t create a huge lineup hole. Strong defense at shortstop was an immediate difference maker for the Jays. When Tulo gets hot at the plate, it’s all gravy. The only negative thing about Tulo is his salary. Professional as it gets, and a shortstop that hits like an outfielder without butchering in the field is still top 10 if he misses 30 games. Travis/Donaldson/Tulo will be the beasts offensively this year if I’m making bold predictions.
Travis could stay healthy, but might not, I’ll give that much, but to avoid mentioning how electric he is at the plate and in the field, is an obvious troll attempt. With him in the lineup, the ALCS is different. Indians missed bigger stars though, so it doesn’t matter.
Judge a hardworker that seems committed to fitness all you want, but I’m on the record strongly with the opinion that Bautista will field and hit better this year. More injuries are likely, but new injuries are likely for any MLB player, so I’m going with my gut here. To put so much faith in the results of an injury plagued year seems like a fool’s prediction to me. I’m putting faith in what I see as a guy who looked very healthy once he came back for keeps last year.
And Morales taking up space at DH doesn’t make him a bad signing. If he hits close to his career averages, the contract is decent. It’s no Edwin, and having Tulo/Martin/Smoak/Morales/Pearce all around is worse than it could have been but doesn’t make Morales a weak point in the lineup. Guy batting 5th driving in runs at that price is a good roster spot to me. Best hitting environment he has ever had and the ceiling for him is MVP candidate. Floor is pretty average DH. I’d bank we see him play 1B against LHP, or else Bautista try it out. Word says he can play 1B but KC had a pretty good one blocking his playing time. Can still rest guys a couple times per week if needed. No chance does Morales turn out to be a weak spot in the Jays lineup, in my opinion.
I’ll concede about Donaldson.
1/5 is ok… Mendoza line.
Not sure if the rest of that analysis keeps things above Mendoza though.
I can’t wait to see Smoak put up average numbers with regular playing time. Above and beyond what anyone predicts, but certainly possible if anyone takes the time to really look at his monthly splits and game logs. Same comments for Tulo pretty much cover Martin, and I’ll cave in and say 8/9 are close enough that I’ll agree. 3/9 not so bad after all.
I’m still calling it a troll analysis. Enthusiastic Jays need to be put in check a lot of the time, but to exaggerate so heavily isn’t a good look.
Morales was a bad signing in terms of contract length. I believe Victor Martinez got 4 years to be a true DH and Morales now has the second longest signing in terms of years for the position. Even the best DH ever (Ortiz) only got two years and was more year to year. Not sure how Morales can be justified for 3 years. This signing was just an overreaction to Edwin.
Agreement with every word. But I am not buying any argument that tries to suggest having Morales in the lineup this year is a bad thing. Anything under 100RBI will shock me. If he is a key piece to a playoff contender this year, anything else he does with the contract is gravy. Not blocking the future has some value to me. Rowdy seems ahead of the curve to me.**
If giving him 3 years is what it took, then I am in full support of that decision too. As much as it might backfire. DH ages better than anything aside from LOOGY in my opinion. And I bet Gurriel signs elsewhere if the Jays don’t get Morales. Based purely on my own speculation after reading any and all articles related to Blue Jays that I can find. Could all be coincidental, but they’re pieces to a larger puzzle the way I’m looking at it.
**To fully discredit my own opinion, I can’t help but disclose that my crystal ball is kinda messed. Not sure if it was Vernon Wells, Alexis Rios, or Travis Snider, but someone really did a number on it.***
To attempt to add some optimism if you’re really feeling this dire about the state of the franchise and if you get a good laugh about my crystal ball comment, I gotta add a couple key search topics for you or any others that think the Jays are doomed. The other playoff contenders are pushing the luxury tax limits is frustrating, but there is some major promise very near, and the stopgap options are nowhere near as bad as the naysayers would have you believe.
1- AFL 2015, Rowdy Tellez specifically. Age and results compared to Gary Sanchez more specifically. Not as far behind in the results category as someone 2 years younger should have ended up. And he did pretty good for a 21YO AA player last year. Imagine when Rowdy’s 23 he’ll have a year at AAA under his belt. Maybe even a September audition. Maybe earlier if the naysayers are right and panic sets in.
2- AFL 2016. Anthony Alford specifically. Combined with the regression he saw last year, the AFL results are comforting. And the reviews are exciting. I swear that announcers always mention how certain players just have a different sound when they hit it, and there were multiple comments this fall suggesting that Alford is one of those guys. Plus tools to spare. Barely 1000 AB in his life still, athletic with QB smarts, and did well after injury and again in AFL. No chance he doesn’t see another setback, but he could be ready to be a superstar in 3 years. A season with Devon White coaching him could even fasttrack things.
3- Bautista’s results after he came back from 2nd DL stint. Nobody hit in the ALCS, hard to hold that against him. The results on the way to the ALCS were promising for long enough that you can start to ignore sample size flaws.
4- Smoak’s results when he’s not wasting on the bench. Without Smoak last May, the Jays wouldn’t have made playoffs, there’s no way to deny that.
5- The career of Kendrys Morales compared to Victor Martinez. I’d even bet 4 years for Morales wouldn’t backfire after comparing the two. Poorman’s Victor is not a bad thing.
6- The Russell Martin magic. Catcher stats tell us a lot, but not enough. There is no coincidence about it in my opinion, pitching staffs do better with Martin and his playoff record is the key factor in my argument. Watching the games it’s quite obvious. Grilli being the perfect case example. Liriano to an extent and many others if I cared enough to dig deeper. Posey, Molina, Martin, etc. Good catcher usually means playoff chances are strong. Regardless of who the backup is.
7- Defense up the middle in general. C/SS/CF providing excellent defense with only one being a weak link at the plate is a recipe for getting to the playoffs. Worse looking teams that had strong D up the middle have won the World Series in recent history.
All for now.
To burst my bubble a bit- the aging core is a worry. Bautista, Martin, Tulo, Morales are all key and could be high risk for a turf team to rely so heavily upon. The innings pitched by the young pitchers last year is a bigger worry. The backup plans in the rotation are not really there, and the 2 brightest stars in the rotation both saw huge innings spikes last year. Chris Sale’s been due for injury for about 5 years now though so it’s not worth losing sleep over. If Sanchez or Stroman goes down, we could see Donaldson traded for big package is my biggest fear but it also would be kind of exciting. Can’t see making playoffs if either of those 2 misses significant time.
For real- all for now.
I heard a comment today on the fan 590 that truck me as important for the Jays starting rotation. The rotation is largely sinker ballers and if MLB raises the strike zone where they have to bring the sinker above the knee instead of below it, that is going to present a problem for this staff. WHen sto or even sanchez has that sinker up, it goes a long way.
I think when it plays out, we are still short one very good reliever and a top of the rotation starter. This rotation will take a step back there is not enough depth in the organization to overcome it. We have a solid 3rd place team right now and I think another starter and reliever would take the jays to the playoffs.
I like the competition brewing in the bullpen now but it is really a bunch of lotto tickets. Lack of electricity. Young option for RP and SP depth would be unreal but probably not happening. Agreed more depth would be nice. Not holding my breath!
My mind keeps ‘jaydreaming’ over to the Mariners bullpen. Diaz came in ahead of schedule and they say another Diaz is coming. Imagine if the Jays had another Osuna nearby??
Avoid the injury minefield again and it could turn out OK, but 29 other teams have the same thought. A few have hedged their bets really well. The Jays have seemed more like hedging their bets preparing for a firesale rather than a restock. If everything goes perfect, there will be another playoff push, and maybe a mildly risky trade. Otherwise, it’s hold breath and try to get hyped on prospects is what my crystal ball tries to tell me… (it’s often wrong…)
well said. my issue is i can not believe we will overcome the loss of cecil. i hope loup is healthy. no confidence in howell stepping in to face say k.davis in a key situation. the team appears to be built to compete and if not will be dismantled. i would prefer all in or all out though not this half stepping crap we are seeing right now. personally would have rather seen cecil resigned than pearce brought in. also imagine had they forgone morales howell smith and instead went after chapman? ahh what a dream!
If there was another SP in the mix, Liriano could fill Cecil’s shoes?! Assuming you meant CDavis about Howell, but argument still holds with KDavis. I’d hope Howell isn’t facing righties too often though.
Cecil was so bad early last year that I don’t really hate seeing him go. He seems to have a tough stretch every year. Most relievers have multiple rough stretches though. Cecil is easily worth what he got. And the current loogy options are not that inspiring. Barnes is the one that excites me most to be honest. But I can’t see him making the team out of spring while others are out of options.
7man bullpen probably- Osuna, Grilli, Biagini, Loup, Howell and Smith would likely be locked in. One of Bolsinger and Schultz probably have top shot if they don’t blow it in spring. The rest have options as far as I can see. They might both clear waivers anyway. Not inspiring that’s for sure.
In hindsight, Cecil and Storen’s early struggles last year means that this year’s bullpen can’t really do worse. The same couple month’s leeway to fix any issues means the result will probably be similar. Some brutal performances early and then trying to fill holes with garbage and hope it works again.
Sparkman, Floyd, and a few others might surprise in spring but I’m thinking Bolsinger for 7th longman slot, and then Barnes is next in line for loogy, and Tepera next in line if Smith sucks or a starter is hurt and Biagini gets shifted like some people are suggesting. Could get ugly fast if any pitcher gets hurt. Might see someone shine with so many options fighting for it at least. (*Says most MLB teams ever*)
Joe Smith had a pretty darn good career in the NBA. He wasn’t hof material but still really solid. He’s a great athlete. I’m sure their are some scouts who will question if his skills on the court will translate to success in the jays bullpen. I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t. I wish him luck in the next chapter of his sports career.
Shhh don’t tell anyone about the under the table tampering accusations it’s just a big conspiracy theory. Lucky he was able to sidestep the collusion. But he is now in his what 40s, so it might be a little bit to get acclimated.
He’s only 41. I googled it.
Thanks for the laugh. His Alma Mater and my favorite college team had a bad day yesterday.
Very unique name.
It’s really sad to think this is all the help we get in the bullpen this offseason. I think the Shatkins duo dropped the ball, not really bad but definitely not a good offseason of moves where we really needed it.
I agree. 2 rebound candidates, how often does that work? I think they spent the money poorly and want to go full rebuild. It’ll be a shame to see the Rogers centre attendance drop back to 15k during the week.
does anyone else have a feeling that if they’re out of it at the trade deadline that the fire sale and rebuild begins?
Yes, they will definitely shop Tulo, Bautista, Estrada, Liriano and Martin if they’re out. I think Donaldson would be available too, but moving him next offseason makes more sense.
Unfortunately, I am with you. They are trying to fill out the bullpen with recovery projects. It worked with Grilli and Benoit[until injury]. It didn’t really work with Gavin Floyd. I like it that they are trying. I still think the rotation will take a step back and the Jays have no rotation depth. There is nothing at Triple A to fill it out except surprises, lol. I can see lotsa trades at the deadline this year to fully rebuild the organization.
The Orioles big 3 Brach, Oday, and Britton. Brach was had with a below grade AA prospect, Oday was a waiver signing, and Britton was a failed starter with a great sinker. Point is the Jays are doing exactly what a team should, build a bullpen not buy one. I hope to hope that the Os trade Britton before giving a reliever 100 million and he may be the best close the Orioles have ever had. I’ve seen so many closers look like perennial all stars only to be gone from baseball a few seasons later. Jim Johnson, BJ Ryan, Eric Gagne, Brian Wilson, etc. Brought me joy when the Yankees ruined all their great moves last season by paying Chapman 86 million or whatever the exact number was.
Im pretty sure shapiro/atkins arent going to waste Sanchez and Stroman’s cost controlled years with a rebuild when our core is still strong and hasnt gotten too old yet.
Quit being negative bro there is 162 games in a season
o’day had really one bad year with texas and that is it. not sure about brach and what his deal was/is before but dude can hit high 90’s and britton was a failed starter who can pump up the heat as well, we (jays) are going after end of their career types who can luckily hit 90mph. IF we wanted to win this year they would have resigned Cecil. 7.5m a year is not that atrocious for what was arguably the second best lefty on this years market.
You sound like the negative crowd that said the same thing last off season when the Jays decided not to sign Price and signed Happ and Estrada instead. I think attendance wise, they still did pretty well and won’t really change this season as they still have a solid group.
I agree I’m negative about the way this management team operates. My expectation is when you go to the ALCS you try and build on what you have at the major league level to get over that hump. It appears these guys are focused on a rebuild and just trying to piece together a major league roster. This team is set up for a full tear down at the deadline if we’re out or next offseason.
Well, it worked well for them last season with Grilli and Benoit…
and because you managed to jaywalk across the 401 with your eyes closed once doesnt mean you will be so lucky again.
I would rather have Hernandez in the bullpen and use him ad the setup guy.
The Cubs keep signing pitchers that either have serious health issues or never produced at the MLB level. Instead they refuse to pick up Jason Hammel’s option, show little interest in retaining a valuable swing-man like Travis Wood and fail to re-sign an effective middle reliever like Joe Smith. WTF!
The Cubs have had a very confusing offseason
Came up through the NY Mets system. Good luck, Joe. For a moment I thought you were going to be a Met again.
David Hernandez could be a steal as a valuable bull pen piece. Wish Jays were in on him.
Is this ok with you, Pepe Silvia?
Hahaha I was looking for his comment about reposting news too
Ball hawks at wrigley will miss him. So many souvenirs