The A’s have avoided arbitration with outfielder Jake Smolinski, reports MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes (on Twitter). Smolinski will be paid a $775K salary for the 2018 season, which comes in a bit north of the $700K at which he was projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. Smolinski is a client of Sosnick, Cobbe, and Karon.
The 28-year-old Smolinski has spent parts of the past three seasons in Oakland, hitting a combined .236/.297/.371 with a dozen homers in 466 trips to the plate. While he’s struggled immensely against right-handed pitchers over parts of four big league seasons, he’s tattooed lefties at a .299/.371/.507 clip and belted 11 of his 16 career homers against southpaws. Smolinski gives Oakland a right-handed-hitting platoon partner for Matt Joyce in an outfield corner spot as well as an option in center field from time to time, though his usage in 2018 will be somewhat dependent on the remainder of the moves that Oakland makes to address its outfield needs between now and Opening Day.
Congratulations Jake, you probably won’t be traded this season.
Why?
Because we have an outfield depth problem still, and he’ll be relatively inexpensive to keep around as a farm hand.
Still not a good enough reason why he might not get traded. It is Oakland we’re talking about here
If healthy the player should be interested to watch…
“Jake from A’s Farm” is/(was?) expected to be non-tendered, especially if the team signs/trades for a better RH OF.
Which I don’t see how they don’t go out and get a RH OF bat. Canha/Smolinski are known quantities at this point, and they both suck.
Could do much worse out there… Seems like a no brainer platoon option for a team that doesn’t want to spend on legit talent.
“he’s tattooed lefties at a .299/.371/.507 clip and belted 11 of his 16 career homers against southpaws”
That seems like a legit bat from the weak side of the platoon. Get that both sides and it equals a very solid player.
Saying it like that made me think about the “Jake from State Farm” commercial.
She sounds hideous.
Khakis?
One of my favorite members of the Nashville Sounds!
Oh thank God!