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MLB Trade Rumors: 10 underrated trade targets

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 29: Andrew Cashner #54 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 29: Andrew Cashner #54 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 31: Caleb Smith #31 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 31, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 31: Caleb Smith #31 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 31, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

9. Caleb Smith

Sandy Alcantara got the nod for the Miami Marlins’ lone spot on the National League’s All-Star roster, but a strong case could have been made for teammate Caleb Smith. The 27-year-old left-hander has a 3.50 ERA in 13 starts and has struck out 88 in 72 innings while holding opponents down to a .201/.262/.436 line. The past two years have seen Smith make a tremendous leap from 14th-round pick who stagnated in the upper levels of the New York Yankees system to borderline All-Star.

Despite the eye-popping strikeout numbers, Smith does appear to be pitching over his head right now. He is an extreme fly-ball pitcher who gives up nearly two home runs per-nine. His arsenal is also effectively limited to fastball and slider, with a changeup thrown infrequently. Smith’s slider has always been a strikeout pitch, and he has held opponents to a .162 batting average against it with a 38 percent whiff rate. He is getting by with an average fastball this season, but he has seen his heater whacked to the tune of a .531 slugging percentage for his career.

What the Marlins plan to do next is anyone’s best guess. They’re still several years away from being able to contend in the NL East. Miami should still be looking to acquire as many solid prospects as possible, looking five years down the road. Smith is one of their more viable trade offerings.

Smith is an interesting trade candidate because he is not a free agent until after the 2023 season and not even arbitration-eligible for another year. The peripherals don’t exactly point to him carrying this level of pitching forward, and the Marlins should attempt to trade him to a pitching-hungry contender.

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