10:19am: Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos is also a possible target for the Indians, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). It is not clear from the report whether the teams are engaged in talks.
9:38am: The Indians are “among [the] teams looking at” Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Smoak, a switch-hitter, is earning $8MM this year before reaching free agency at season’s end.
It’s not surprising to see the Cleveland organization exploring possible offensive-oriented additions. The club has received a big contribution from Carlos Santana at first base, but hasn’t settled on a steady designated hitter.
Plugging in the 32-year-old Smoak would make for a nice lineup boost for the Indians. Smoak is slashing .215/.357/.427 this year with 18 long balls in 359 plate appearances. That’s shy of his output in the preceding two seasons, but still handily above-average production.
No doubt the Indians also see a bit of an opportunity to buy low on a player that may not draw much demand elsewhere, due in no small part to the lack of American League buyers and his defensive limitations. Smoak is drawing walks at a hefty rate (16.7%) and seems rather unfortunate to carry only a .220 batting average on balls in play. Statcast credits him with a big .388 xwOBA based upon the quality of contact he has made, which is much higher than his .342 wOBA.
Even as the Indians consider scenarios in which they’d part with starter Trevor Bauer, they’re hardly looking at a sell-off. The club weathered a tough start to the season and presently sits just two games back of the Twins.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
This game has sadly changed. Smoak kills the Red Sox but when a .215 hitter at a power position is considered “handily above average production” something needs to be done to address how to improve the game. 18 home runs in a day when everyone’s grandmother seems to be able to pop an opposite field homer should not be sufficient to consider his 2019; production good.
The average is not good, but that OBP differential is elite. I think there is also an idea that the average could improve with better protection as Smoak would see better pitches.
He’s a career .230 hitter. There are other guys I’d rather have (Puig and Castellanos come to mind as rentals), but Smoak would not be a bad add if the price is cheap.
I don’t know his splits but perhaps solely against righties, he’s good to have on the bench. Again he kills Boston and it’s usually against the pen. My beef is the game is getting unwatchable. I often now look at highlights because I start my work day at 6 AM and can’t watch four hour games.
The “new” metrics they use in baseball that they try to pass off as statistics, are to me a system made up by player agents to try to convince teams that certain players are better than they really are so they will get hefty pay raises in salary arbitration and on the free agent market..
Exactly, and many of those goofy “stats” are either ‘projected’ or ‘weighted’ or some other kind of formula that amounts to nothing more than guessing.
Can I borrow your tin hats for a little bit?
What’s a goofy stat? The best “real” stat in baseball is OBP. And even that in isolation doesn’t paint a complete picture. No stat paints a complete picture. WAR paints a pretty good picture, but it’s still incomplete.
Couldn’t agree more. .215 is a terrible avg but some will tell you this stat no longer means anything
110 OPS+ tells me more than his batting average. A WAR of .8 tells me more than his batting average. An OBP of 357 tells me more than his batting average.
There are lots of things to look at that tell you more than batting average, No one is ever telling you that you should ignore batting average.
Two out, nobody on, Smoak walks. Next guy gets out.
Two out, runner on second, Smoak walks. Next guy gets out.
Strikeout, fly out. 0 for 4.
That OBP looks good. No runs to show for. No hits can be found. I’ll take a better batting average. Thanks.
Just send them (2) A players and I’m fine with this.
The all love our A players. That’s where the talent is other than Jones and 1-2 others.
He is a cash consideration player at best
Cash considerations going both ways with the bigger amount from Toronto.
I hope that the Tribe doesn’t overpay for this rental. After all, with the trade deadline so near, the temptation is to do anything, just anything. It can distort your vision.
All told, Smoak can get in your eyes…
You think they are going to overpay? Detroit is not going to get anyone for N.C. and the Blue Jays are not going to get anyone for Smoke.
Overpay?
That’s who the A’s should’ve traded for instead of Morales when Olson was out…
better than bauers
Bauers is 23 years old. Give the kid a chance. With that said, if the cost is minimal, bring on Smoak.
They’re not giving up on Bauer’s. Smoak would be for 2 months
Yep. Bauer’s helps you win in the future. Smoak helps you win games this year.
The difference between him and Bauers isn’t worth anything. Soler, Mancini, Castellanos all are better options that could have a real impact.
switch hitters are useless
.215/.357/.427 is “handily above average production”?
I was thinking the same thing.
Jeff Todd must have have Smoaked something to make that comment…
The batting average isn’t. But the on base percentage and slugging is. OPS of almost .800 is good
That slugging is average at best
OPS+ of 131, 122 and 110 last 3 years. Yeah I would say so
I was thinking the same thing!! The writers on this page always skew their information — if a team is picking up a player and they have Smoake-like numbers…it’s a great “get.” If a team is getting rid of a player, those same numbers suddenly stink. The numbers stink. Why do they have to pretend they don’t?
That’s a 784 ops and a 110 ops+ literally well above the league average. Stop the fixation with BA. It’s about reaching base and damage young fella.
.784 ops is disappointing for a 1B. Maybe a lot of 1B are disappointing this year. It would be good for 2b and C and passable in the OF.
Can’t believe anyone still thinks batting average as worthwhile indicator of value in isolation. Besides, reading comprehension will tell you that Todd is looking more deeply into Smoak, like for instance his .220 BABIP–averaged.290 over the last three years, and well below his historical norm–indicates a ton of bad luck, especially since his hard-hit rate hasn’t dropped. That makes Smoak a nice buy-low candidate, a guy who, whatever he is, makes 2/3 of our lineups immediately better (c’mon, Kipnis clean-up vs. Smoak?) You want to bat Luplow 4th against southpaws fine, but Smoak at DH definitely lengthens our lineup and I love that he’s another switch-hitter. I prefer him to Castellanos or Domingo Santana, although the Jays are sage traders….it still hurts to see lefty Pannone developing into a solid rotation piece over the long haul and Merryweather could develop after elbow surgery as well, all for a month or two of Joe Smith and Josh Donaldson. These types of trades can really haunt you. But maybe we get lucky and get Jay Bruce-like production for little or no cost.
Tough next couple weeks for the Tribe… we will see how they fair against some tougher opponents…The 10 games against the Twinkies will determine the winner. Good luck!
Indians have been getting fat on cupcakes for so long when they try to chow down on some twinkies, it’s gonna feel like chewing concrete.
Split with the ‘stros in Houston, took 2 of 3 in Boston, two of 3 from the Yankees, Twins have the season edge but also played 6 of 9 in Minny
The first 2 months the twins have played the the White Sox, Orioles, and Seattle. They play a easy schedule every year because they’re one of the worst team year in, year out. A 13 gm lead a little over a month ago now you’re probably not going to even make the post season.
A team’s current schedule has nothing whatsoever to do with the previous year’s record. You’re thinking NFL, bud.
the Indians can have Joc Pederson….please please anyone take him away
We have some shovel handles and a $3 steak. Will that do?
On today’s episode of it could be worse. Joc Pederson, sure! Bring him on!
Joc Pederson for Chris Davis and his money. Deal?! Haha
Dodgers say “NFW”
Why not somebody like Dom Smith from the Mets? Kid has swung a nice bat this year, is cheap, and won’t take much in prospect capital to obtain.
Because the Mets want a SS, CF, or MLB ready arms for Smith and justifiably so. Indians don’t have any to offer.
perhaps Mets make an aggressive offer for Lindor in off-season
Lol Lindor isn’t going to the a 3rd tier team in New York. They need to learn to develope players and stop being the Yankees step child. Unless you’re giving up Alonso and Wheeler.
All the Tribe should be looking at is whether player X is better than player Y (with all the finances figured in). Smoak > Bauers (tho there’s hope for Bauers still) for 2019, and the money shouldn’t be an issue.
A couple of low-level prospects should get it done….at the end of the year, you kick Smoak down the stairs….he won’t mind; his numbers look better in a pennant race than in the obscurity of Toronto….
Cash considerations would get it done….not sure Smoak is better fit than anything they have. Castellanos is a different story, would love a Castellanos/Green package.
To win the WS the Indians will have to go through several LHP(Yankees and Dodgers). Smoke vs. LHP: .204/.328/.286/.613 while Castellanos is hitting .347/.415/.611/1.026.
Not to mention a possible wild card game against Boston (Sale, Price and/or Rodriguez).
Lol you must mean the twins that can’t hold a 13 gm lead.
I am fine with Castellanos too. Will help in 2019 with minimal cost and keeps the Tribe’s future intact.
smh……….
Sucks being an Indians fan.
No, it doesn’t. If you think it sucks, then root for a different team.
Off my balls dude.
By the sound of it you don’t have any.
Exactly!
Smoak is more on the level of players that I think will be moved by the deadline. He’s not a headliner that will excite fans. However, he can get on base and has some power and can be had without losing ang any upper level prospects.
jose martinez from the cardinals would look good as a dh in Cleveland. maybe Martinez plus montero (#4 prospect, 3b) and juinor fernandez (#10, sp) for trevor bauer. maybe one more prospect around #15-20. im sure indians want a top 50 prospect, but 3 good prospects plus a very good dh is way more than mets gave up for stroman.
Now castellanos I’d be happy with
CJ, that’s a fair offer, one I think the Tribe would look at very closely. And Trevor would love the atmosphere in St. Louis. For all of Bauer’s quirkiness, he’s the only starter on our team who, when coming off the mound to an ovation when leaving the game, will actually tip his cap to the crowd. I like to see that in a professional athlete. It’s a little thing, but a telling thing. Why so many guys in major league baseball think it,s bush to acknowledge the crowd is beyond me.
Atkins will be (rightfully) giving this guy away for a low-level lottery prospect to the first team that comes in with an offer.
Absolutely not
As long as Castellanos doesn’t bring his iron glove with him, I like him against left handed pitching.
Indians should add more netting to protect the fans when he’s in the field!
He will be at DH the majority of the time in Cleveland.
How does one target a player like Castellanos without engaging in Talks? ESP?
I think Smoak can be acquired for someone 25-30 prospect and the Jays will even pay his salary for the year if they up it to a 20th rank prospect. Good buy for a contending team. Gives you a professional at bat, great in the club house and above average defense.
No way they get an top 30 prospect….from any organization…..for Smoak.
Wrong.
Really? Considering what they got for Stroman they can send a bucket of BP balls for him and not a rated prospect.
I would much rather see the Indians pony up prospects for a better all around answer with a way better batting average who is signed for 2 more years in Starling Marte
with his contract you should not have to include any of you top 10 prospects if you pick up the rest of the contract about 2.5 mil this year 11.5 2020 & 12.5 in 2021
just a thought
The problem from the Pirates’ perspective is that if they trade Marte they would have to acquire an everyday center fielder to replace him. Bryan Reynolds currently moves to center when Marte needs a day off but Reynolds is not going to be a long-term answer in center, he’s a corner outfielder.
Agreed. Marte is not a rental, he offers a permanent solution and while he may not have the pop of Puig or Nick C, he has speed and defense with a solid bat. With all of that comes a cost. I could see the Pirates asking for Lindor and trying to sell some prospects to open the talks. Not a realistic starting point to get to an actual trade though. Indians should probably stick with a cheaper rental deal
Did you seriously just say they would ask for Lindor?
Greg Allen and/or Tyler Naquin can achieve that.
Lindor to the Pirates?If the Indians aren’t willing to pay Lindor,Nutting sure as hell won’t!
Smoak’s slash line looks weak, but I agree with those who say it would improve with a little protection. Right now he’s in a lineup full of free swingers with lots of K’s.
Smoak sees only 38.2% of pitches in the strike zone,. Of 162 qualified batters in MLB, that’s 13th worst. All the fellows at the bottom with him are elite sluggers.
Smoak swings at only 22.7% of pitches out of the zone. That is elite too — the 12th best in MLB.
His plate discipline is nearly identical to Carlos Santana. That’s a good thing if he can get on a good team. And Smoak will not cost much, so…
And Smoak is a switch hitter. He would be the fifth one in Cleveland’s lineup. Gotta like that.
Smoak is an excellent defensive 1B. He gets on base can hit a hr. Jay’s can cover his salary.
Expect a hometown discount for the Indians courtesy of Atkins. Cleveland would be receiving a solid defender with a power bat that suits both Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Although his career numbers aren’t good in New York. He’s shown flashes in that ballpark.
Oh is there any doubt? Smoak ideally should have been dealt last year. These dealings with the Indians and Shapiro kill me. Shapiro will give anything and everything to the Indians for a bag of balls. Please fire this schmuck and the rest of his cronies.
No doubts over here. I know they should have traded Smoak a year ago. It was all about opening a spot for Rowdy Tellez in 2019.