The Milwaukee Brewers thought they might have a bargain when they signed first baseman Justin Smoak to a one-year deal with a team option this winter. A $5MM guarantee would be a bargain deal for a productive first baseman, and Smoak had been exactly that in the past. The 33-year-old was a 10-year big-leaguer worth 3.0 rWAR in 2017 and 2.0 rWAR in 2018. He struggled in 2019 to a triple slash of .208/.342/.406 with 22 home runs across 500 plate appearances – but the numbers weren’t so far off the previous two years, and there was cause for optimism.
Solid peripherals likely kept Smoak employed, as if you looked at his career 11.6 BB%, 23.6 K%, and .190 ISO, there ’s potential for a potent bat there. Even during a down 2019 season, he logged a 15.8 BB%, 21.2 K%, and .198 ISO. Add in a below-average .223 BABIP and it’s easy to see why the Brewers gambled on him. The BABIP didn’t bounce back, however, and the walk and strikeout rates both went the wrong way.
Maybe the thinking wasn’t misguided, but the results simply didn’t pan out as hoped. The Brewers released Smoak today after he passed through waivers, per MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy (via Twitter). He was DFA’ed on September 3rd when the Brewers put in a claim for Daniel Vogelbach.
Vogelbach’s struggles were at least equal to Smoak’s this season, but whether the Brewers see something in Vogelbach or have simply seen enough of Smoak, Smoak’s tenure in Milwaukee is now over. In 126 plate appearances, Smoak hit just .186/.262/.381 with a handful of home runs. Smoak’s major-league career may not yet be over, but he’ll likely need to accept a minor-league contract to keep going.
The 11th overall draft choice of the 2008 draft, Smoak played for the Rangers, Mariners, Blue Jays, and Brewers across 11 seasons. For his career, he owns a triple slash of .229/.322/.419 with 196 home runs.
Stick a fork in him, Jerry.
Would much rather see France continue to get everyday at bats.
He’s smoked
Hosmer just went down for the season maybe he fits in SD?
Mitch Moreland: you can find better DH at-bats elsewhere than Smoak. Maybe give him a minor league contract just in case
They’re going to be fine with Mitch Moreland for a few weeks. I think by the playoffs they’ll get at least one of Hosmer or Pham back anyways.
I’d rather they just test prospects like Ona and Campusano, better use of the ABs.
FIRST ROUND BUST !!
Without looking, I bet he’s played longer than half the other first round picks in his class. Maybe not have been a stud, but not a bust.
There were 14 picks in the June draft first round in 2008 after Smoak. Only 3 of them had a higher career bWAR than he did. Only 4 of the ten ahead of him in that draft had a higher career bWAR than Smoak.
So, 7 of 24 others in the first round of that draft had more productive careers than Smoak (so far).
Well, he certainly never lived up to being the next Teixara when he came to Seattle.
Smoak had more chances to succeed than he deserved in Toronto. Then he had one good season after he should have been in Japan. Many players in his draft class only wish they had a team with as much patience as Toronto had with Smoak.
Hey Vogey is 4-9 since heading to Milwaukee. Only a matter of time before a Vogeybomb is launched. Today might be the day!
Dey got SMOAKED!!!!!!
“In 126 plate appearances, Smoak hit just .186/.262/.381 with a handful of home runs.”
What’s a handful? Why be that vague with statistics? Just type “five” to save the time of having to look it up.
Oh because clicking on the link to his BREF page that’s listed in the article is too much of a bother for you? Why are so many users so critical on this site?
Not at all, it just seems strange for a site geared around baseball statistics.
“Mike Trout has a really high WAR in 2020.”
“Nelson Cruz has a bunch of home runs for the Twins.”
Both of those would sound just as silly. It just sounded lazy to be so vague, instead of typing how many home runs Smoak actually hit, because I honestly didn’t know reading the article.
Don’t you worry though; I’m getting my money back from reading the article!
Technically, a handful IS 5, but yes the term is usually used in a more vague sense.
The Yankees need to pick him up and release Ford to make room. DH Voit and start Smoak.
Ok I get it, they released Smoak but Vogel definitely isn’t our answer at first either. Im sorry just not looking to seeing how big this guy will get with the beers and brats. Dead ringer for John Jaha .
Jaha? Jaha was jacked… probably artificially so given the era he played in, but he definitely didn’t share Vogelbach’s roundness,.. for lack of a better term.
Two years from now he will be a target for the Pirates.
You’re right. By that time Smoak will be on a busy street corner carrying a dog eared cardboard sign that says, “Will play for food”. Bob Nutting (who cruises the streets regularly for such opportunities) pulls up and says, “Ramen twice a day + unlimited tap water. That’s my one and only offer that expires in 3-2-1….”. Smoak accepts the offer and hops in the truck bed.
I would prefer the Yankees take a shot at him and get rid of ford
I wouldn’t mind if The Halos took a flier. I remember when they interviewed Ron Washington regarding Smoak being traded for Cliff Lee.
The reporter said Ron, In order to get Lee you’re going to have give up Smoak.
Washington replied “Smoak has got to go”
Smoak n Mirrors, I wonder if pure country has a blu ray release
fire david stearns the brewers are horrible.