Atlanta Braves: Top 7 Potential Starting Pitcher Trade Targets
By Seth Carter
6. A South Beach Southpaw
Caleb Smith has spent the past two seasons looking like a breakout ace and has also spent the past two seasons being linked to constant trade rumors. There were rumors last off-season, they picked up at the deadline last year, and they started again this off-season.
Why would the Marlins trade young controllable lefty with ace-like potential? They are maximizing value right now. Last season they traded away useable, controllable players like Nick Anderson, Trevor Richards. They traded away J.T. Realmuto prior to last season.
Anderson posted a K% of over 50% for his new team, the Tampa Bay Rays, down the stretch of last season. Trevor Richards was supposed to be an innings-eating potential breakout star at starter.
The Marlins must be looking far off into the distance by trading these players. So, despite signing veterans like Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, and Corey Dickerson, you have to wonder if they are more focused on winning or swapping these guys for long-term prospects.
There’s only one way to find out of they are in re-stocking the minors-mode. Make an offer.
Caleb Smith was off to an incredible start before injuries struck. In the first half of 2019. In 72 first half-innings, he struck out 88 batters and posted a 1.01 WHIP with a 3.50 ERA. These are stud-like numbers.
In early June he admitted he was suffering from hip issues. He finished April with 29 innings pitched and 37 Ks. His ERA at the end of April’s five starts – which included a loss to the Braves – stood at 2.17.
Through his first eight starts, he had a 2.25 ERA with a .180 average against. His 58% GB rate and 64 Ks in 48 innings pitched all pointed toward a breakout, ace-like season.
Out of his first eight starts, eight games were quality starts. That’s right, he was 8-8 in quality starts to begin the season. He admitted a few weeks later that his hip had been bothering him and off to the IL he went following his June 6th start. He didn’t come back for a month and was never the same.
The potential has showed throughout his brief career. Over the past two years, he has posted a 4.41 ERA (even with his horrendous, injury-riddled second half last season) and 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
With the stacked farm system, the Braves can afford a few guys at far less of a price than it would cost for a Nolan Arenado or a Kris Bryant. Additionally, Smith is under team control until 2024. Smith would make a fantastic addition to the Braves rotation.