Trade Update: Cubs Trade Jesus Castillo to Angels for RHP Joe Smith, Add Bullpen Depth
The Chicago Cubs have reportedly made a trade with the Anaheim Angels for right-handed reliever Joe Smith (32).
Joe Smith traded to the Chicago Cubs.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2016
#angels got Jesus Castillo from #cubs for Joe Smith
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2016
Joe Smith was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2006 amateur draft. In 2016, he has a 3.82 ERA and 4.62 FIP, that’s off a .283 BABIP. From 2011-2014, Smith’s highest ERA was 2.96, so there’s plenty of upside with this move that can have a positive impact for the Cubs bullpen. He is an unrestricted free agent in 2017 and is currently earning $5.25 million.
Jesus Castillo (20) is a minor league prospect that was playing at short A Eugene Emeralds, which is the highest level he’s reached in the minors. He’s a long-term prospect with little chance of reaching a big league roster any time in the near future.
As for the impending roster move the Cubs will make to fit Smith on the big-league team, which is where I’m assuming he ends up, that’s still up in the air. There’s also the other roster questions that currently exist and that we touched on earlier today here.
Lots to sort through still and we will update you as soon as we learn more.