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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Impact Players That Could Be Moved Through Waiver Trades

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith (13) reacts after being ejected from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Will Smith (13) reacts after being ejected from the game against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Smith – Milwaukee Brewers

One of the biggest commodities at trade time is bullpen help. Surprisingly enough, very few relief arms were moved at the deadline. Perhaps that speaks to the quality of some names being bounced around (i.e. Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel) and the attention they received going into the deadline. However, what it did is leave a bunch of other qualified relievers on the market that may draw interest in August.

One such arm could be Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Will Smith. Despite receiving a six-game suspension for a foreign substance earlier this year, the 26-year-old has been incredibly dominant on a lackluster Brewers team. In 49 appearances and 38.1 innings of work, Smith owns a 4-2 record, a 2.58 ERA, and a 2.22 FIP. Additionally, he’s fanning batters at a 12.2 K/9 ratio and oddly enough features heavy reverse splits, dominating right-handers while left-handers have had much more success against him.

Split G PA R H HR BB SO SO/W BA OBP SLG OPS BAbip
vs RHB 41 85 5 12 0 6 30 5.00 .154 .224 .205 .429 .250
vs LHB 45 75 16 19 2 8 22 2.75 .297 .365 .484 .849 .405

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/31/2015.

The 2015 splits are a bit of an abnormality, as he’s been fairly consistent against both hands over the course of his four-year career. Some teams will give him a look as a potential closer down the road, but for now, he’s just a dominant late-inning arm that could be picked up in August.

That said, he won’t come cheap though either, just entering arbitration this coming winter and having three more years of club control. The package landed by Seattle for Mark Lowe (Jake Brentz, Nick Wells, and Rob Rasmussen) could potentially be a good guide as to what the Brewers could get for Smith.

That is, if they can sneak him through waivers first.

Next: Baseball's Untouchable Prospects at the MLB Trade Deadline

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