Giants closer Will Smith looks like one of the majors’ most obvious trade chips as the July 31 deadline nears. The left-handed All-Star has already drawn interest from multiple teams, and St. Louis is among those that will join the fray for Smith, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. As long as they remain in playoff contention, the Cardinals “are poised to pursue” Smith this month, Morosi writes.
Targeting Smith isn’t anything new for the Cardinals, who made an effort to acquire him early last winter. They and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement, though, nor did San Francisco find an offer to its liking elsewhere. With a Smith pickup out of the question, the Cardinals addressed the left side of their bullpen by signing free agent Andrew Miller to a two-year, $25MM contract. Miller’s 3.81 ERA and 4.72 FIP in 28 1/3 innings since then are much closer to serviceable than great, but he has recorded 13.66 K/9 against 3.81 BB/9, thus helping him bounce back from a rough April.
The 30-year-old Smith has struck out upward of 13 hitters per nine as well, but he has walked about half as many as Miller (1.98) over 36 1/3 frames. Smith has also pitched to a stupendous 1.98 ERA/2.02 FIP and stymied left- and right-handed hitters alike, having limited the former to a .200 weighted on-base average and the latter to a .218 wOBA. Adding to his appeal, Smith has converted all 23 of his save opportunities, and he has done it on an affordable $4.225MM salary. So, even though Smith’s not under control past this season, the Giants shouldn’t have much trouble netting a solid return for the sought-after late-game ace.
In the Cardinals’ case, reeling in Smith would help them replace heat-dealing closer Jordan Hicks, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery two weeks ago. Former starter Carlos Martinez has emerged as Hicks’ successor since then, but picking up Smith would potentially enable the Cardinals to deploy the lethal Martinez in a multi-inning setup role. Regardless, Smith, Miller, Martinez, John Gant, Giovanny Gallegos and John Brebbia would make for a fierce game-ending setup – one that could help pitch the Cardinals to the playoffs.
The Redbirds aren’t in playoff position at the moment, having trudged through a letdown of a first half in which they went 44-44. However, they’re still just two games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs and a pair back of a wild-card spot. With a realistic shot at qualifying for the postseason, the Cardinals look as if they’re lining up as buyers.
Dyson and Smith for Nolan Gorman
I’d take it as a giants fan.
Lol, only in Giants fan’s dreams, u think your getting Gorman.
He’s the 1 untouchable the Cardinals have.
…spoken by a true brainwashed Cards fan.
Spoken like a giants fan that overvalued your assets you will be lucky if you get any of our young outfielders not named Carlson. Not even controlled past this year and you think you get our #1 prospect. What did Baer beat you up to put up this comment?
Lol sorry dude. But will Smith will certainly grab a top 100 prospect. It could be more if teams start a bidding war. Gorman isn’t doing too well in the minors too.
Smith will only get a top 100 if there is a bidding war. Rentals just dont get top prospects. Gorman started very hot but has struggled a bit lately. He has the skills to be a perennial all star. No way Smith lands a Gorman.
Yeah exactly 2nd year don’t even know if he’s 19 yet. Went 2-5 and 5 rbi he’s adjusting to the step up he got also roger dean is where fly balls go to doe wait until he gets to the Texas league. Giants fans maybe you all are as ridiculous as your franchises front office that got to this point.
Did you forget about Chapman or Miller?
I’d take Smith but wouldn’t give much for him as a rental for a few months. The Cards biggest need is for some starters who can deliver some results. They should offer up Carp for someone like Samardjzia. Offload a non producing 20MM load on the payroll and get a starter who can go 7 innings half the time. Maybe they’d take Fowler too.
Gorman is not exactly killing it. A 28% K-rate in A-ball, with a 79/32 K/W and 9 errors in 432 IPs? Solid prospect for sure, but untouchable?
Cards over value all their minor leaguers. Then, when they realize they aren’t as good as projected, they trade them for middle relief pitchers and utility infielders.
Have you met Luke Voit? lmao. Either a Cubs fan or just a hater.
Care to give an example of this happening? I don’t recall any super hyped prospects getting traded for relievers in the recent past. Tilson was traded for Zach duke but he wasn’t hyped that much. Tyrell Jenkins and Shelby Miller went for heyward and Jordan Walden, but obviously heyward was the main target there. If you wanna go back to trading rasmus for Scrabble and Dotel then maybe I get your point but that helped win the cardinals a World Series.
Every team values their own prospects highly, especially when it comes to valuing them in trades that can define a franchise for years to come. I’d like to hear examples of the overhyped prospects that get traded for middle relief though. I could be missing something.
My comment said prospects traded after the team realized they weren’t so valued. Then they middle relief and utility infielders for them. Example:Grichuk for Leone. Piscotty for Munoz and Schrock. Voit for Shreve and Gallegos. Gonzalez for AAAA ONEILL. Diaz for JB Woodman.
1st full year and #1 prospect you don’t give that up for half a year of LH reliever. And you wonder how the giants got to this point.
Any sort of prospect in the top 75 is untouchable for Smith most likely.
And adding another reliever doesn’t up the top prospect, it adds a throw in on the back end of the deal.
You want Grichuk back? Please?
Grichuk coming back is Not what I said. Not the context of the discussion.
I realize that Nick. Just can’t stand to watch him day in and day out. Undeserving of that extension.
Trim, and then they go and trade for the same player as Grichuk, Tyler O’Neill. To the same extent, Bader is going down that path. When Bourjos was Bader 5 years ago, he never saw the field because of his offensive deficiencies, but today it’s no big deal if you can hit 20 HR. All these guys can’t hit sliders. All strikeout a ton. All have some speed and can play defense. Bader and Bourjos more speed and defense than the other two. This is why baseball has become what it is. Free swinging, high K, boring baseball.
Yet you’re still here to cry about it. If the game isnt what you enjoy move on. I’ll admit it is nothing like the game I fell in love with nearly 60 years ago, but it still holds a place in my heart.
Good points Nick. It has become boring baseball. Explaining it to the masses is a waste of time. There is a reason less people watch baseball.
The Cardinals only have ONE untouchable player in their entire organization, and that’s Yadier Molina.
That’s because he’s 37, makes $20M, has full no trade and he’s not good any longer. Who would want him?
Just because you say something doesn’t make it so.
No way that’s happening! As a Cards fan I’d be very upset. Gorman has a path to starting already mapped out. Personally I feel he’s a legit prospect
Your killing me smalls
lol yeah I wish. We’d have to include Bumgarner for them to even possibly consider that.
There you go.
Still wouldn’t do it most likely
Lmao, that’s funny! Gorman is a future star and Smith is a half year rental. Never gonna happen.
The reason he’s untouchable is because he’s killing it in the minors….and he just turned 19 he’s only going to get better.
He’s hitting 241 with 79 strikeouts in 250 AB in A ball. Not exactly killing it.
Gladly send Alex Reyes at this point
Bum and Smith for Gorman then…
Gant and Gallegos are enough for what the Cardinals are going to achieve this season, honestly. Smith isn’t going to be the missing piece.
No he wont be. They need a .300 hitter at the top of the lineup. But he will help.
That’s a good trade
I believe Mo will do his usual sneaky good trade by getting rid of unknowns for him (if acquired). I don’t see big time guys going in this deal. Maybe, just maybe, they might be willing to let go of Tyler O’Neill. But I still don’t see that happening.
I agree!!! Mo will do his usual sneaky thing!!! He’ll come up with players like Gregerson, Leake, Cecil, Holland, Shreve, & Goldschmidt. Great baseball names!! ( 10 to 15 years ago!! ). Then trade players like Luke Voit because (Strike out or Walk, .216 hitter, Poor fielding, Carpenter has him blocked from playing First Base!!! The Yankees are thriving with Voit!! Without Mozeliak…..The Cardinals could have been Thriving with Voit too.
Watch yourself Uncle Mike, or the Sheeple Police will be on you.
I know Nick. Thanks for the heads up.
Yeah uncle mike you selective memory fan, want to remember who was an MVP candidate tear it up at 1st base along with Martinez and we were trying to get him as many ABs. Playing the same game politicians do when they try sneaking some bs through. Know your facts!
3/10 – used the word sheeple
I think the sheeple are the “fans” that follow the other whiners and criers on here.
The ones who try spinning facts or don’t know much or just trolling sadly. Is it too hard to wish this became a forum to converse about baseball totally instead of arguing with trolls like nick Stevens smh you don’t realize your opinion has no bearing fact or even stay in the realms of your basis.
Carp was an MVP consideration for some folks for about 45 days between mid July and late August last year. The first 3 months and the last month he hit under 200. He needs to learn to hit the ball to LF to beat the shift but he’s too stubborn. Trade him to an AL team where his weak defense isn’t such a liability.
I still can’t believe the contract they offered Cecil. Love Cecil, will never forget his contributions to the Blue Jays but damn….
How about Mikolas?! 1 year and he gets $68M. Insane.
that contract will rival the Homer Bailey debacle by the Reds.
And by 1 year, I mean 1 year in the league with a good season and Mo gives him 4 year deal at $68M. Great money for a 5th starter.
Yeah, that one is still a head scratcher for me. I get Miller, he was lights out in years past. But Cecil is still the outlier for me.
Insane did the doctors diagnose you Nick.
SAMFasdfgh, Do you know what punctuation is?
Do you know what complicated means?
Yes, it’s NOT COMPLICATED to use commas and periods when typing a comment, you jackwagon.
Cecil was off to a rough start in 2016 and finished strong. Actually thought the Jays could re-sign him. Then the Cards blew the doors off with that offer. Cecil signed early, and that set the bar for other relievers. To Nick’s point, I thought Mikolas was excessive too and didn’t like the Carpenter extension after they traded for Goldschmidt. Cards are speeding down the highway with no seatbelt and a foggy window right now.
Voit got us Gallegos though. He has been straight fire out of the pen. And the Yankees didn’t see Voit doing what he has so far either. He was never a top prospect or anything. Just like nobody saw Gallegos doing what he has. Voit isn’t the missing piece, Cards have more issues than that.
Don’t feed the troll. He is obsessed with Mozeliak. Why? I do not know.
Why am I and most of the Cardinals fans upset with Mozeliak??? Ha! Surely you are just being derogatory. Since 2012, he took a team that LaRussa actually built. Since then his trades, free agent signings and contract extensions have pretty much tied the Organizations hands
Financially. Unless you might think flushing millions of dollars down the drain because of poor decisions an asset????
Bunselpower, get lost. This isn’t a forum called, “Kiss Azz or don’t post.” It’s a forum for all, even those that don’t think Mozeliak walks on water.
Pot meet kettle.
Yeah sadly these are the same people that bombard stltoday chats too with the same demands for the front office to be fired. Most of them don’t even realize Mo isn’t even the GM, as well as Dewitt has always been involved in decision making too, duh he’s been raised in baseball his whole life. I thought after Matheny being fired it would stop but it hasn’t, also at a certain point you see a lot of things that have to fall on players too. Let’s see if carpenter and Goldy have some hot 2nd halves.
If you believe Girsch is making the decisions, then it’s now time to stop having responses to you. Laughable.
See that’s what you dimwit read from my post yet NO WHERE in my post did I say that in fact I said Dewitt and Moreliak still have input it’s what luhnow was involved in as well when he was around. You get mad at punctuation I am MAD that you don’t know how to read and in take FACTS you dimwit and than you try riling up people with these selective or alternative facts. Go seek a therapist Nick Stevens lol you dumb troll. #factsmatter
Don’t blame me for being a dimwit when you make dumb comments. We all know Mozeliak isn’t the GM. All these titles are meaningless in baseball. Nothing gets done without Mozeliak and DeWitt approval. Tell us something we don’t know already. SAMF.
Jon Mozeliak became the GM after the 2007 season. Give credit where it is due, for building some very successful teams from 2009-2015. Of course the manager had influence but Larussa was NOT the primary decision maker in all the drafting, player development, even FA signings…
GM is responsible for way more than just signings and trades at the ML level. It is clear that they currently have a bad record of evaluating MLB level (since 2016?) talent but you shouldn’t claim they are terrible at everything because they clearly are not….
In all fairness, I’m not sure you can anticipate Voit breaking out at age 28. Let’s say Voit still had his 2017 stats, and Gallegos had his 2019, it would be considered the best trade of the year.
Except for the trade that AZ pulled off getting a good catcher, a good SP, and a draft pick for a 1B with one year left on his contract.
I agree with you, JoeBrady.
Name names uncle mike, Carlson who in his limitled opportunities had no offense and would be used sparingly and his bat needed to play, we have Knizer who fits with Molina passing the torch to him, Weaver do you remember last year and even in relief could give us 7 runs like that and Andy young who’s a middle infielder hello clogged there. This is why trump got Misery
Junior Fernandez and Dylan Carlson for Will Smith
I can see Fernandez in a trade, but not Carlson. I can see him competing for playing time on the big league club next season.
Rick Ankiel for Will Smith.
I am see Eli marrero for Smith but not an elite player like Ankiel. He could be so valuable
They should just sell they’ve been stuck in mediocrity for years now.
Are you suggesting that the giants plan of stockpiling older veteran players past their prime isn’t working out? Who would have ever predicted that?
The Giants and the Cardinals are both examples of keeping their Championship players way too long. Now both have depleted Farm systems and aging players who are classified as “I use to be able to do” players who are a detriment to their teams now!! The Giants more so than the Cardinals.
The reason the cardinals system is depleted is because a lot got promoted recently…plus the bottom of the farm is strong
The Giants farm is coming along. They have 3 tops 50’s in Luciano, Ramos and Bart and guys like Hunter Bishop isn’t far behind. The farm was a mess before 2018, but in the last year or so that has changed.
Both of these teams should
need to find an ace, instead of filling up the bullpen with more bull chit
Why on Earth would the cards be buyers for this rapidly declining team? Sustaining mediocrity is a waste if time
Agreed! Get what you can get and start over. But unfortunately, the Cardinals have a crappy track record drafting and developing superstars (minus Pujols). Most recent 1st round picks that were hitters haven’t panned out well. So I’m not very confident of a successful rebuild that way.
When your picks are consistently in the 20’s because you win a lot you don’t tend to get the surefire picks that teams that endure 8 years of tanking do. 1-10 are a good chance but STILL aren’t even guaranteed, and it tails off from there.
Careful. All this spinning is going to make you dizzy.
The Cardinals John Mozeliak, (As Usual) has his priorities in reverse. The current bullpen can survive. The Cardinals need 2 Ace Quality hitters and an impact hitter who will swing the bat!!! Plus, not strike out 90-100 times in a half of a season!! (Examples; Carpenter & Goldschmidt!!). The Number 1 &2 hitters in the line up. Duh!!!
So I guess getting the best 1B in the league over the offseason wasn’t enough? Or are you judging past moves through the lens of the present?
You got robbed on that trade.
How? You had a pitcher the Cards couldn’t wait to figure it out and a catcher that wasn’t going to get significant playing time until he was 27. And now Weaver’s motion is coming back to bite him with the UCL sprain. And the return was the best 1B of the last 6 years signing with your team. How is that bad?
Weaver “couldn’t figure it out?” What does that mean? Weaver is 25 and drafted and brought up in the system. If he couldn’t figure it out, isn’t that a indictment on the instructors in the system as well?
Nice to know they gave up on a catcher 10 years younger than their current catcher. Smart.
Kelly has serious lateral movement issues, has really never hit well enough to offset his deficiencies. The Cards’ had soured on him favoring Knizner, and a bevy of promising young catching options.
So they dumped Kelly based on 131 major league at bats in 3 years? Classic. Defensive deficiencies? Another classic considering he’s playing well and throwing out 35% of baserunners, which is 8% above league average and 4% higher than Molina. Another Cardinal prospect who is praised while here, then dumped on after he leaves. So typical of this fanbase, but then they’ll give him a standing ovation his first at bat when he returns. All this talk is making me want to vomit.
“…gave up on a catcher 10 years younger than their current catcher.”
Younger does not mean better.
Kelly is definitely better than Molina lol
Bunsel….Cards traded for a stud. Yes you had to give up some talent, but the #1 reason you do not deal for Goldschmidt:
You already had a first baseman.
For years people pleaded for Carpenter not to play 2B or 3B. Then you not only move an aging Carp to 3B, you give him an extension!!!
And had the Blue Jays not been more dysfunctional in the front office you would have traded for Donaldson who would have walked in free agency and left you with a failed trade. Add the Cecil overpay and Mikolas, its not a good look.
Right now, Kelly is better than Molina. 1.4 WAR to Molina 0.3. I remember when Molina came up and he was strictly a defensive player. Couldn’t hit a lick.
They dumped Kelley? I seem to remember Kelly being a main piece to a trade that put a pretty good player at first base. Kelley was simply expendable because of the emergence of Knizner.
You might of been satisfied, with your fail proof trade moves that you make inside your hindsight head, in getting Goldschmidt for a bag of balls but it just wasn’t going to happen.
The Cardinals wish should be for Mozeliak to NOT make moves. His moves have proven deadly for 4 years now. Therefore, DeWitt will probably give him a new contract for his recent “success.”
So basically an extension to his extension he got not to long ago.
Yes, so I assume you have no clue that Mozeliak’s contract ends after 2020?
I’d like the Cubs to get him but Cards have way better prospect package to land him. Curious where mad bum and stroman/100 miles Giles land. Cards be better to look and Stroman/Giles?
Poised Lol ,ok show me your Prized Prospect
Weaver and Kelly for Goldie was a steal for the D-Backs. Weaver was one of the better SP in the NL until he got injured. Kelly, who hit in the minors, is doing so now the beneficiary of regular PT. fact is, unless he gets hurt, Arizona has its #1 catcher for the next 6-8 years.
As for Goldie’s numbers, I think we all knew he wasn’t gonna put up the same numbers batting most of the summer in that tick and muggy Mississippi River air that he did in the desert thin air.
I’m most concerned about Carpenter. His awesome hot streak ended in mid-August last year when pitchers started throwing him breaking stuff. His September was dreadful and the first 3 1/2 months of 2019 ain’t much better. Carpenter might be better off reverting to his old batting style of drawing tons of walks; striking out less and be content with 15 HR instead of 30.
Still, the Cardinals are still my choice to win the NL Central and make it all the way to the NLCS vs. LA. The party ends there, but I’m gonna enjoy the ride.
Best of luck with that NLCS prediction.
Do you know what complicated means?
Every team in the hunt will inquire about Smith more than likely. Zaidi will have multiple offers to consider. The best offer will win. Simple. Smith is worth whatever the highest bidder offers. Just have to let the process play out
If the Cards dont want to trade a top tier prospect for Will Smith, no problem. There are 5-6 real playoff teams that will do so…
I love the idea of Slater at 2nd. Would the cards take Panik packaged with Smith? haha
I don’t think the Cardinals have what the Giants need to complete a Will Smith trade. The Giants need a major league ready second baseman and a shortstop who is one year away.
To further complicate things, Smith will get a 3 year $30 million contract this off season. Who can afford this, The Giants. So you might be renting Smith for 15 saves just to have him return to San Francisco.
Don’t look now but Dyson has been the best bullpen pitcher the Giants have had for the past two months. His sinker has been unhittable the past two months. However he has a ton of appearances already this year. Watson has been garbage the past two weeks and Melancon doesn’t belong in the majors.
With Moronta struggling with blown saves (4) this season, I’m not sure the Giants are all that eager to get rid of Smith. I think it only happens if the Giants find replacements for Panik and Crawford in the trade.
As for Bumgarner, Ziadi probably won’t pull the trigger without a top fifty pick in return. It makes sense that with Cueto returning this year and the number of minor league pitchers the Giants have been auditioning (Anderson, Beede, Rodriquez, Suarez, Menes) the Giants could have a very young staff next year that needs a Bumgarner, a Smith, and a Dyson to back them up.
This rebuild that the Giants embarked on has hit a Dickerson, Slater snag. Someone fed Longoria Geritol and he is hitting with protection in front and behind him. All of a sudden the Giants appear to be hitting. No coincidence that the hitting began when Dickerson arrived and has been bolstered by Slater.
Strange days by the bay.
They don’t need a shortstop prospect. They have Luciano in the minors who is tearing it up at 17. They’ll just let the Crawford contract play out.
I did not forget about Luciano. He is in what? Rookie ball or Low A. I don’t get excited over 17 year-old kids., Just as I don’t get excited about Joey Bart, who is having a disappointing season in San Jose. If Bart was half of his hype he would be hitting 330 with one hand.
What will get me excited about Luciano is if they assign him directly to San Jose after Rookie Ball. Unfortunately after Rookie Ball and about his 30th game, he will hit the wall. Growing a major league shortstop takes time. ETA 2022.
Not strange,The Organization believes a lot of these guys have underachieved and Posey will have a better 2nd Half,and I totally agree! There will be no Fire Sale,and the Giants are going to make a Wild Card Run.To many Long Term Contracts to Off Load,so you add around them for now if they keep playing well,unless they find another Closer or #1 Starter,don’t see it.
Finally!!!!! Posey has a meaningful hit!!!! Finally a huge multi-RBI game. And, not out of the three but out of the two hole. Moving Posey from the three to other spots has taken the pressure off and his batting average has started to climb. Can Posey carry this club for a week as he has done in the past?
All five home runs were timely yesterday. Two solo shots by Austin and Crawford very big. The Giants need Crawford to turn his season around. Crawford has had months where he gets crazy electric at the plate. Is he finally in baseball shape?
What an addition Slater has been. Give some credit to Pillar as his double seemed to rattle Chase Anderson. Then the timeliness of Slater strikes again. What a two weeks for a player that many of us have been waiting for since 2017. It is a small sampling but Slater is seizing the opportunity with a choke hold. I hope Slater becomes the feel good story of the year for the Giants.
Longoria must love batting with Dickerson and Slater in the line-up. I commented two weeks ago that Longoria finally looks like a ball player who has put his body into the best condition he can attain at this point in his career. It may not last, but he is good protection for Dickerson in the three/four holes.
My only negative comment should be directed at Bochy. Anderson survived the first five innings but he struggled….. In the sixth inning Anderson was facing the Brewers for the third time through their order with less than spectacular stuff. After grabbing a two run lead, Bochy should have replaced Anderson before the sixth inning happened. Furthermore, Moronta blew his team leading 4th save. or hold. Moronta goes through control problems and has been doing so for the past two weeks. First mistake by Bochy, trotting Anderson out for the sixth. Second mistake not having Moronta up after the fifth inning, knowing that Anderson was struggling. Third mistake not having Gott up and throwing after the fifth inning. Fourth mistake bumbling through the sixth inning with Moronta and giving up the lead. If Austin hadn’t hit that homer in the 8th Bochy’s bonehead management would have been called out again.
Giants are looking like a baseball team with timely hits and inspired play.
Question? Isn’t there someone the Giants can promote from Sacramento to end the Melancon experiment? I get nervous even when he has a four run lead. Maybe his arm is dying again? Hey Mark, I can send you some supplemental nutrients and bloom boost if that will help..
Smith would like to trade this article pic for another.