The Pirates have acquired southpaw Josh Smoker from the Mets in exchange for left-hander Daniel Zamora and cash, the two teams announced. Smoker was designated for assignment by the Mets earlier this week to clear roster space for the re-signed Jose Reyes.
The hard-throwing Smoker has a 5.02 ERA, 11.7 K/9, and 2.58 K/BB rate over 71 2/3 relief innings in the big leagues, all with New York in 2016-17. Despite that big strikeout total, Smoker had issues keeping the ball in the park, with 14 homers allowed in his brief career. He also posted a 5.1 BB/9 rate last season and struggled with control at times over his nine minor league seasons. Smoker isn’t exactly a young hurler (he turned 29 in November) but he still clearly has some upside in his arm given his big strikeout potential.
He’ll have an opportunity to continue in the big leagues given the lack of left-handed options in the Pirates’ bullpen. Closer Felipe Rivero, starter Steven Brault, and Jack Leathersich are the only other southpaws on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster, though Brault could end up in the pen if he doesn’t make the starting rotation.
Zamora was a 40th-round pick for the Pirates in the 2015 draft. He has posted impressive numbers (2.96 ERA, 10.3 K/9, and 3.50 K/BB rate) over his first 115 2/3 pro innings, all as a reliever. He briefly cracked the Double-A level last season, tossing three innings for Altoona.
Makes sense after the Nick Turley (sp?) suspension, they needed another lefty bullpen candidate.
I like Smoker, he’s the type of guy who could have a couple of very productive seasons and people will be like where did he come from or another product of the Pirates pitching gurus but he has already shown well when I’ve see him pitch just not much in the way of numbers yet.
woo hoo wild card here we come LMAO
Which team?
If he can stay healthy that’s a big signing for the Pirates. Throws hard as a lefty always a need
Smoker’s not young, but he’s a good live arm. Not a bad option to throw out there for the Pirates.
I remember dominating with him in Baseball mogul 2010…
I thought that I was the only person that played that game….
WOOWEE!!! Its a 4 team race in the central now, boys!!!
This is a win for the Mets considering they were able to actually get at a minimum, a warm body, in exchange for Smoker. Smoker seems intriguing on paper, but the reality is, he’s a 25th man on a roster at best. He just can’t be relied upon on a consistent basis to get that big out against that tough lefty hitter.
Smoker has velocity but he is straight over the top and straight as a string fastball with below average command. 4A pitcher unless he can generate movement or increase his control. Horrible fielder. Can’t throw to bases.
Does he have a ‘Smoker’ hot Fastball? ^^
Lol, you tried that one last time.
Nah I said “Smokin” not “Smoker”
We can’t all be Kayrall, (funniest guy in these boards) I’m usually hit or miss, but I try and down-votes let me know I missed.
Besides, people might’ve missed last ‘Smoker’ thread ;)
Agreed.
Ha.Ha.Ha
Honestly, Zamora is not a bad pick-up for the Mets. Based on the fact that they got a player and cash, I’m assuming there was quite a market for him while he was in his DFA period. Zamora looks like a solid middle reliever.
Good thing his parents didn’t name him Pole.
It’s really a missed opportunity
If he was a girl, Mary Jane would be pretty funny, but as a guy, Shane (because it sounds like Chain) or Frank (like hot dogs) would both be pretty funny
Why?
I can’t believe an MLB team can get away this. You have teams doing what they are supposed to, try to get better by adding. The pirates? Have no interest in spending the money needed to get the caliber of players needed to compete. Buuuut, Bob is nice guy, right? NO ONE GAF IF HES A NICE MF GUY. PLEASE GTFO OUT BASEBALL IF YOU AREN’T WILLING TO SPEND TO AT LEAST COMPETE I HATE BOB NUTTING. I WISH PICCOLO ON HIM.
I always love people who overreact to depth acquisitions.
What do you want them to spend money on? There’s no need to spend money on a free agent at this point with the Brewers, and Cards improving, the Cubs are still the Cubs. Signing a 30+ year old free agent that isn’t worth the money they want is not going to make the Pirates a 95 win team. Next offseason is the time to spend.
Some people just like to b*tch. And b*tch, and b*tch and b*tch. Logic has no place in their world as it merely interferes with the b*tching – while your pointing out reality like you did will probably just anger them into a whole new round of b*tching, despite your accuracy describing the situation as it stands
“Pirates” and “logic” are incompatible concepts. It’s time to finally accept that fact.
When last week you answered me telling that the Pirates are going to sign Harper or Machado next offseason I thought you were joking, but it seems like you are serious, which is kinda said. Don’t want to burst your bubble, but guess who for sure will not spend a cent to buy a superstar? And if past 10 years tought you nothing, be ready for a huge disappointment.
Did I say Machado or Harper? No. There are more free agents than those two.
Another of those “fans” that “deserves better”.
If you’re looking for a guy to bring in to a tight spot who will start the first batter off with a 2-0 count and then serve one up, Smoker’s your man.
I doubt they’re looking at him as a high leverage guy.
They just see a cheap, controllable asset with some potential to develop into a useful piece they can use for a few seasons if they so desire. Smart move if your clubs in a position to give such guys a tryout
This is exactly right.
The entire point of the coming season for the Pirates is to develop players and increase their value, either as assets or players for the team.
Adding Smoker to the mix with Feliz and Crick and their existing young arms gives them another lotto ball to put in the hopper. If a few of them develop into solid RP’s, that’s a huge increase in value. If even one of them becomes the next Felipe Rivero, you’ve struck gold.
Pirates: got any more lefties, like Niese?
Mets: well, we just DFA’d a lefty, but he doesn’t have nearly the record of success as Jon did.
Pirates: sold!!
The Mets are such a center of the universe strategic wonder. List their last ten key moves and there are 9 complete failures.
With Sandy Old age home in charge and the mantra, “Save, Save, Save” they will be out of the race by Memorial Day. No fears, Mets’ faithfuls—the team is planning a special celebration that weekend featuring all of their alumni who are in the HOF.
It’s a small group (Tom Seaver and who?) however Mutt and Jeff promise to have current Mets; I can’t even remember their names, to sing in a post game concert dubbed, “Losing Ways-a Flushing Tradition”.
The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get
this guy will be destroyed by the NL central bats
Hey Harvey—certainly NOT by the Mets. That’s why you picked NL Central right?
PS-are you related to Metseventually (formerly
Mets2015NLChamps-2016WSChamps)?
He has been missing most of the Hot Stove season and rumors are all around that he may be changing his identity to “HopelessMetsFan” or “FinallyGivenUp”.
Do you know his whereabouts?