The Tigers have shown some interest in free-agent reliever Will Smith, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. However, the left-hander has also received interest from multiple clubs that expect to contend for postseason berths in 2023, Petzold adds, which makes them an unlikely landing spot unless they significantly outbid any other suitors.
The 2022 campaign was a tale of two seasons with Smith, who posted a 4.38 ERA and 12.3% walk rate in 37 innings with the Braves before being traded to the Astros for Jake Odorizzi and immediately turning things around. In 22 frames with Houston, Smith worked to a 3.27 ERA (2.66 FIP, 2.83 SIERA) with a 26.7% strikeout rate — an uptick on his 24% mark in Atlanta — and a 4.4% walk rate that was miles below his bloated rate with the Braves. I noted back in January that the Astros upped Smith’s reliance on his slider and four-seamer at the expense of his curveball and also made some alterations to both his horizontal and vertical release points.
The results were impressive, although the Astros didn’t use him in the postseason. Smith wasn’t on the ALDS or ALCS roster and didn’t pitch in the World Series upon being added. And, as encouraging as his turnaround was, the ’Stros unsurprisingly weren’t heartened enough to exercise a weighty $13MM option (which came with a $1MM buyout).
Smith is now one of the few unsigned, clearly big-league caliber relievers remaining on the free-agent market. He won’t match the three-year, $40MM contract he received from the Braves in the 2019-20 offseason, but it stands to reason that his strong finish in Houston and his track record ought to land him a big league deal somewhere.
Dating back to 2013, the now-33-year-old Smith carries a 3.26 ERA with an excellent 31.5% strikeout rate against a 9% walk rate. He’s tallied 91 saves and 106 holds in that time, frequently operating as a high-leverage reliever with the Brewers, Giants and Braves. His time with Atlanta didn’t go as well as hoped, although it’s worth noting that was dominant during the team’s postseason run in 2021, firing 11 shutout innings as the Braves secured a World Series victory.
With a non-contending club like the Tigers, the opportunity would exist for Smith to even work his way into the closer’s role. There’s no established option in that spot for the time being, and at the very least, Smith would seem likely to find himself in a high-leverage role — be it as a setup man or ninth-inning specialist. Right now, Tyler Alexander looks like the Tigers’ lone lefty in the bullpen, though Chasen Shreve, Jace Fry and Miguel Del Pozo are all in big league camp as non-roster invitees this spring.
There hasn’t been much chatter about Smith’s market — or lack thereof — this offseason. Left-handed bullpen help has remained the one area of free agency with some actual depth for interested clubs, and the fact that so many southpaws lingered so long into the offseason figures to create some potential bargains. The D-backs scooped up Andrew Chafin on a one-year deal with a club option over the weekend, but the likes of Smith, Matt Moore, Zack Britton and Brad Hand all remain available. Britton just worked out for six clubs today, and the Twins have reportedly shown some interest in Hand. There’s likely some degree of overlap in the markets for the remaining lefties, and now that pitchers and catchers are beginning to report, it’s possible there’s an increased sense of urgency among the remaining unsigned free agents to find a job for the upcoming season.
Yeah make sure he doesn’t slap anyone
Just keep his wife’s name out your mouth.
Probably could’ve had Chafin back if ownership wasn’t cheap.
I think a lot of it is this new GM keeps saying that he wants to evaluate what he has….as if he’s been in a coma lately or something. But I don’t disagree either. He’s non existent compared to his dad, Mike.
Makes me laugh that people forget the first decade or so of Mike Illitch’s ownership when he was a horrible owner.
Illich was more interested in the Red Wings during that time.
Angels should sign him…they still need bullpen arms. They originally drafted him and shipped him to KC in the Callaspo trade. Would be a nice full circle.
He’s probably signing with a contender
Now here’s a team that’s thinking, unlike the kid GM who sleeps with the fishes.
I hope the cubs sign him. They are close to the tax cutoff so I am not holding my breath.
Tigers actually make sense for Smith. While every team can use bullpen help, most contending teams probably have their guys for the 7-8-9 innnings; those teams are contenders because they’re well constructed. The Tigers likely closer has no career MLB saves (Alex Lange); Smith could get late inning opportunities, including closing. But after making serious dollars for a few years, is he willing to take a one- or two-year deal for half that rate or less?
Does he want to play on a team where he won’t get any save opportunities? You have to score runs in order to have the lead late in the game.
The Tigers had a horrible offense last year, and Soto still managed 30 saves while having a mediocre season. There will be plenty of save opportunities for Detroit relievers in 2023 as well.
Yeah, Soto only managed 30 last year. That’s probably not enough opportunity for Mr Smith.
I think they sign him and if he is doing good capitalize at the deadline. He’s a proven commodity who could bring something back if he reverts to form.
The Tigers should give the closer role to Cisnero, who already collected several saves. Lange is their best reliever, so I prefer him as some sort of fireman for difficult situations. If they were to sign Smith (who could become a decent trade chip, just like a closer Cisnero), I would like him in a similar role.
Gruß,
BSHH
He should sign with the Rockies so he can be a Man in Black.
I haven’t heard anything about Matt Moore. Maybe he’s looking for a multi-year deal?
I wonder if Carrolton is available too ?
Would that be unusual ? 🙂
Intriguing arm. I’m not sold on Mayza being the only lefty in Toronto’s bullpen. I know the pen is already pretty full but it’d be nice to bring in another major league caliber arm to compliment him.
The sales pitch should be:
If you sign with the Tigers, you enter into a no pressure situation, we will let you ramp up as you see fit to do your best. This is an opportunity to showcase your talents on the MLB stage. We want you to do your best. We will help you do your best, avoid situations that.might not.be best for you. We intend to trade you to a team that feels they have a good shot at making the World Series.
Sign with us. You WILL BE in the playoffs.
This should have nothing to do with being a closer.
Hire the Superfife dang it!