Fansided

MLB rumors: 5 players Cubs needs to trade for

By William Schneiderhan

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers field a hit in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers field a hit in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 09: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 9, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 09: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 9, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Will Smith, LHP San Francisco Giants

Earlier in the season, Maddon probably held his breath and said a prayer every time he had to go to the bullpen. But as noted above, the team’s bullpen has pitched much better as of late.

The pen has still been somewhat inconsistent, and they could use reinforcements. In the last 30 days, the team’s relief pitchers have pitched to a 4.50 ERA.

Kimbrel is now on board. However, a reliable lefty is still a must and Will Smith could be that guy.

So far with the San Francisco Giants, Smith has an ERA of 2.19 with 35 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. Dating back to last season, Smith has gone 3-3 with an ERA of 2.43 with 106 strikeouts in 77.2 innings.

Smith isn’t one of those traditional lefty specialists either. He is effective against both left and right-handed hitters, as he has allowed an ERA of 1.86 and an opponent’s batting average of .145 to right-handers this season.

Maddon has been using Kyle Ryan and Mike Montgomery as the team’s lefties out of the pen. Ryan hasn’t been anything great, and Montgomery has an ERA over 5.00 in 15.2 innings.

Obtaining Smith won’t cost a ton and he is a free agent at season’s end. Smith would round out the bullpen with Kimbrel.

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