*Photo from Chron*
We have a good old fashioned player for player swap, a baseball trade. The Atlanta Braves have acquired RHP Jake Odorizzi from the Houston Astros in exchange for LHP Will Smith, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26.
The trade for Odorizzi comes as the Braves wanted to add insurance to their rotation, as Ian Anderson has hit a snag lately, and they want to have a backup plan if youngsters Spencer Strider and Kyle Wright begin to taper off, or hit an innings limit. After a struggle of a 2021 season, Odorizzi is back with a resurgent 2022 season, and the Braves took their chance.
By trading Smith, the Braves avoid themselves a bullpen problem, as Kirby Yates, who they signed in the offseason, is soon expected to be activated off the IL as he concludes his recovery from Tommy John Surgery. The Astros also needed help in the bullpen, and Smith figures to receive some high leverage opportunities, although he likely won't unseat Ryan Pressly as the closer.
So far for the Astros this season, Odorizzi has posted a 4-3 record. With that, he has a 3.75 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 3.62 FIP, striking out 46 hitters while walking just 17, throwing 60 innings in 12 starts for the Astros, who have opened up a big league in the AL West standings.
After losing his spot as the closer in Atlanta this season, Smith has a 0-1 record. He also has a 4.38 ERA, 5.22 FIP, and 1.51 WHIP, recording 5 saves and striking out 41 hitters. Smith has thrown 37 innings this season, and has made 41 relief appearances for the Braves.
This is one of those simple trades in baseball that everyone gets better from. The Braves get proven and pretty good rotation help as they look to defend their world series title, while the Astros get a solid high leverage reliever as they look to make another run at a title.
Comments
Post a Comment