Left-hander Will Smith and first baseman Trey Mancini were both included on the MLBPA’s latest update of players reaching free agency, indicating that the options on their contracts with the Astros weren’t picked up. In Smith’s case, that means the team declined a $13MM club option in favor of a $1MM buyout. Mancini, meanwhile, had a $10MM mutual option with a $250K buyout. It’s not clear yet whether Mancini or the team declined their end of that arrangement, but the result is the same: Mancini will become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Smith, acquired in a deadline swap that sent veteran righty Jake Odorizzi to the Braves, was a buy-low pickup for the ’Stros that paid dividends down the stretch. Smith, 33, carried a 4.38 ERA, career-worst 12.3% walk rate and a grisly 1.70 HR/9 at the time of the trade but immediately righted the ship in Houston. In 22 innings as an Astro, Smith logged a 3.27 ERA with a 26.7% strikeout rate and a vastly improved 4.4% walk rate.
While Smith didn’t pitch for Houston in the postseason, the benefit to the trade isn’t limited to the regular season. By flipping Odorizzi to the Braves, the Astros dodged a potentially pricey player option. Odorizzi’s workload boosted the value of his 2023 player option to $12.5MM, although a $6.25MM buyout might be hefty enough that he’ll still opt to return to free agency. Regardless, Houston isn’t on the hook for that potential outcome, which is a plus for them given that they already possess at least five big league starters for the 2023 season — Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy — and likely hope to retain Justin Verlander.
As for Mancini, his stint with the ’Stros will be short-lived and go down as something of a disappointment. The longtime Orioles slugger has been one of the game’s feel-good stories over the past two seasons, in the wake of his inspirational return from a Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis in 2020. He was a productive hitter in his season and a half with Baltimore following that comeback, slashing .260/.334/.421 with 31 home runs, 49 doubles and a pair of triples in 1017 plate appearances.
Mancini was in something of a slump at the time of the trade to Houston, however, and he never managed to hit his way out of that lull. Inconsistent playing time may have played a role, but Mancini’s .176/.258/.364 batting line as an Astro is clearly sub-par. He also fanned at a 26.3% clip in Houston — considerably higher than the roughly 22% clip he’d logged in the two-plus prior seasons. That said, Mancini did mash eight home runs in 186 plate appearances, so he at least provided the ’Stros with some occasional thump, even if the overall results were miles from his career .265/.330/.457 output.
The Astros are still waiting on what will be far and away their most important option decision — that of Verlander. The 2023 Cy Young favorite has a $25MM player option for the 2023 season that he’s widely expected to decline, though it certainly remains possible that the two parties explore a reunion at what would figure to be much heavier terms.
Not sure anyone will want Will Smith, he was terrible. Good luck to Mancini, seems like a great guy and enjoyed watching him get a WS ring.
I would be shocked if a lefty reliever with average numbers doesn’t get at least a one year deal
There will be a team that wants Will Smith, I guarantee you that. Relievers are volatile, and there’s always a team willing to offer a low cost deal, betting on a bounce-back campaign. Which club that is -and how much they’ll pay- is anyone’s guess. It may be a significantly smaller deal than he wants. Someone will make an offer though.
Who else but the A’s….
Watch him catch on with LAD, like other ATL retreads, they somehow turn into gold: Evan Phillips, Chris Martin, while further confusing MLBTR and fans everywhere by having Will Smith pitching to Will Smith.
Mancini bout to get way more than 10 million. Got traded to a great franchise, got a ring, bout to get paid- dudes living his best life right now !
He has a great come back story and he seems like a good dude, but he ain’t getting way more than 10 million.
You love him.
wrong Will Smith in the link.
Dido
Loved her duet with Eminem.
that wasnt a duet that was emanm overlaying vocals on a previously released dido song.
This does not surprise me. Will Smith did not do great here nor Mancini. He came through with a hit and made a great WS defensive play. Both have WS rings.
Wonder who might replace them. Yuli will probably be 1st base but back up. Dubon, Hensley, Diaz.
I wonder on a few spots like CF. Chas probably not a headline starter or main one. Meyers not so sure. Dubon either. LF will Houston bring back Brantley and split him and Yordan again. Catching who will be the main. I assume Maldy as Contreras I do not think so. But I do wish Mancini luck.
I doubt Brantley is brought back. He’s 36 years old with a bum shoulder. I do think the Stros will add either via free agency or trade a strong starting outfielder.
I would love Brantley back. Dude can still hit and play the field. If he was @ DH then the Stros probably don’t lose a playoff game. Love the idea of Brantley/Yordan DH/LF platoon. Really wish we still had Springer and Chaz was our 4th OF.
I loved Brantley, but I am weary of his shoulder.
When is the top fifty free agent predictions coming out? Thursday is my guess.
A predictable prediction indeed
Mancini never looked comfortable in Houston.
wrong will smith link kings
Stros already possess 6 big league starters excluding Verlander. Hunter Brown was AAA PCL pitcher of the year, made a couple of starts after he was called up – pitched great, and was on the playoff roster out of the bullpen. Throws 99 and has exactly Verlander’s mechanics due to JV being his idol growing up in Michigan.
Not surprising that Smith and Mancini options were declined. I think the Stros will go after another outfielder and add a left hand reliever with better results. Both were good in-season adds but their contributions were minimal.
Love Brown in the little I’ve seen of him. That being said, is JV coming back? Seems like they can do without him and still contend, devoting that high AAV elsewhere.
Not known. If JV chooses to go to the highest bidder (or max length), he will probably go to a team ready to spend on lacking starting pitching (nyy, tex ,etc.)
I would not be surprised if they explored a smith reunion at a lower salary
You may be right on that.
I could see the Rangers, Cardinals, and Diamondbacks all having interest in Mancini.
Smith will get a deal somewhere. Lefty with closing experience isn’t not getting signed
I would include Atlanta on that list. Not sure if Will Smith would be interested in coming back after essentially being dumped by the Braves. I’m not even sure if Kenley makes it back next year. Raisel is probably Atlanta’s closer the next 3 years.
I really hope Jansen isn’t back. He was painful to watch most of the season and the pitch clock is gonna kill him.
I would really love to see Texas check in with Mancini. I think he’d be a really strong locker-room presence. Lowe doesn’t have the pop you’d like to see at 1B but I wouldn’t mind us moving him to DH and letting Mancini take over at first.
Lowe doesn’t have the pop you’d like to see at 1B, yet you want him as a DH? Does not compute on the surface, please explain…
Ah, I typo’d, I meant to say “doesn’t have the pop you’d like to see at DH but I wouldn’t mind us moving him to DH:”
Lowe’s bat is too valuable for Texas to take out of the lineup but he was really lacking in the field. Usually, you’re looking for someone who is going to have a lot of power to slot into the DH spot but I think Lowe’s numbers this year are about as good as you can expect from him.
I’m intrigued to see what he turns into, as his power progressed as the season went on after some early season struggles in the XBH department. If he stagnates at this level of production that’s not a bad problem to have, to your point of his bat being too valuable to remove from the lineup.
While Mancini was terrible with the bat, you gotta show him some love for that defensive play against the Phillies when he came in for Gurriel
Correct. No play, we probably see game 7. That play was worth everything it cost to get him to Houston for the playoffs.
I’m liking Mancini for the RS. We need a LF, and he can take some reps at 1st against the tough lefties.
That’s what I’ve been thinking too
I’d like to see Josh Bell or Rizzo in Houston at 1b
Sean Murphy as C
Murphy will be hard to get. He’s the A’s biggest bargaining chip and they will want a lot in a trade. I’m not sold on Bell as an everyday player. Rizzo benefitted from a short fence in NY. Would he hit as many he’s in Houston?
Trey would be a nice fit on the cubs
Was Josh Bell on the radar at the trade deadline. I think could work. Sean Murphy as catcher and Maldy backup. If Verlander stays he could be with him and Framber and Sean the rest. Javier, McCullers and Brown. Where Garcia and Urquidy will be. Wonder if Dodgers call on Verlander. Anyone in minors knocking on door for outfield. Just in case Uncle Mike is not back. Chas can platoon for CF perhaps but need a bat for bottom of lineup.
No one will give up what it takes to land Murphy and then put him behind Maldonado.
I might be a nostalgic homer but I just want the O’s to get Mancini back. Bring him back to play 1B/DH which would open the door to trade Mountcastle for some SP
Has Odorizzi exercised his player option yet with ATL (6.5M option, 3.25M buyout)?
I fully expect ATL to buy him out.
I hope Odorizzi declines and gets bought out. Plenty of starting pitching in AAA near MLB ready for the Braves.
I hope he doesn’t. I don’t want him anywhere near the Braves next year.
ATL still has the option of paying him 3.25M to go away, saving 3.25M. For those that think AA is bulletproof, that is one misstep that probably won’t get on the final draft of his résumé.
In an alternate Universe where the GM of the Pirates is allowed to sign legitimate MLB FA’s, both of these guys agree to deals with the Buccos.
What incentive would either have to sign with the Buccos? Both should have plenty of suitors.
Money talks. But the point is moot, Pirates will not be seeking to sign either of these two players, or any other desirable FA due to cheapness of Owner.
At the current state of the franchise the Pirates would have to significantly overbid to get either of these guys. Even if Nutting would actually spend, I still don’t see the incentive for either of them to go to Pittsburgh. Mancini would be a nice fit, but I don’t think he’s a player that needs a one year contract to rebuild his value. He struggled in Houston, but he had a BABIP below .200 which is a huge outlier for him. He’ll get a solid multi year deal somewhere for more than Bucs would pay even if Nutting would open up the purse.
Mancini couldn’t hear the trash cans?
You stay up all night thinking of this one?