Cubs Acquire Reliever Joe Smith From Angels

As first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN, the Cubs have made a deal to acquire Angels right-handed reliever Joe Smith.

Smith, 32, has been with the Angels the last two seasons, mostly as a set-up man although he does close games when the oft-injured Huston Street is on the shelf. This season, Smith is 1-4 with six saves in 38 games. He's thrown 37.2 innings and has struck out 25 batters and walked 13. Over the course of his career, the side-arming Smith has been very tough on right-handers although this season, he hasn't shown much of a platoon split

Smith was drafted by the Mets in the third round in 2006. After playing two seasons with the Mets, he was traded to Cleveland in a three-way deal with the Mariners. He was a mainstay with the Indians bullpen for five seasons.

No word yet on what the Cubs gave up for Smith. We'll update this post when we find out who is going the other way.

Update:

Here it is.

#angels got Jesus Castillo from #cubs for Joe Smith

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2016

Castillo is a 20-year-old right-hander from Venezuela who has pitched well in seven starts for Eugene this summer, striking out 38 and walking only 11 in 33 innings. He's got a 3.27 ERA and a 2-3 record. He's a guy who has impressed in Eugene this summer, but he's not considered one of the Cubs top prospects. For the Angels, he's a solid lottery ticket who is likely destined for the bullpen if he makes the majors.