THE TRADES

There were two trades Wednesday, and they included the same player.

Here we go.

1 - Atlanta Braves traded CF Mallex Smith and RHP Shae Simmons to Seattle Mariners for LHP Luiz Gohara and LHP Thomas Burrows.

Quickly, a second deal went down.

2 - Tampa Bay Rays traded LHP Drew Smyly to Seattle Mariners for SS Carlos Vargas, CF Mallex Smith and LHP Ryan Yarbrough.

Here’s the bottom line for 2017.

Smith will serve a role in the Rays outfield. A 23 year old speedster, Smith hit a mere .238 in his rookie season with the Braves in 189 at-bats. Limited by injury in-season, he continued to deal with health woes in winter ball (oblique). He should be fully healthy by Opening Day and that’s good news for a fella who has impressive speed that led to 16 steals last season in just 72 games. The kid can motor. Smith joins newly acquired Colby Rasmus in the Rays outfield. That duo will be joined by holdovers Kevin Kiermaier, Steven Souza, Corey Dickerson, Mikie Mahtook and Nick Franklin. A full-time spot for Smith on day one seems a bit out of reach given that outfield depth. "I think as we sit here today we still have some time to go this winter, but he does have major-league experience, and it's a skill set that diversifies our group a little bit," said GM Erik Neander. He’s not a mixed league option on draft day.

Smyly, a 27 year old lefty, made a career best 30 starts last season. He failed to meet expectations though in a major way as he went 7-12 with a 4.88 ERA and 32 homers allowed in 175.1 innings. Smyly allows soooooo many fly balls, an ungodly 49.3 percent rate last season, and that leads to him being pummeled for home runs. Still, the 1.64 mark per nine innings he posted last season is insanely high. If that number regresses to his career 1.22 mark, a poor number in its own right, his performance would improve greatly. He’s not someone to target in mixed leagues at the moment, but for those of you in AL-only leagues he should be someone you keep your eye on as the rounds pile up. He’s still struck 8.71 batters per nine innings for his career, with a 2.54 BB/9 rate, while possessing a 1.20 WHIP. All three of those numbers are bordering on impressive.

Teams are always innovating on and off the field. Food is an area that all the teams are competing in. I’m thinking I need to get me a Thomenator or a Rib Helmet, like right now.

ATHLETICS ADD TO BULLPEN

The A’s have signed Santiago Casilla to a two-year, $11 million deal as he will move across the Bay from San Francisco to Oakland.

The 36 year old right hander has saved 30+ games each of the last two seasons. He also blew nine saves last season including three down the stretch that caused him to be removed from the 9th inning with the Giants in September and into the playoffs. Still a solid pitcher last season, Casilla had a career best 10.09 K/9 ratio last season. He also posted a 3.42 K/BB ratio, the best of his career. He posted a 1.19 WHIP which was better than his 1.28 career mark. He posted a 1.32 GB/FB ratio, an eight year low, and something to keep an eye on as he ages.

What role will he fill in Oakland? Seems like everyone’s best guess is that Ryan Madson will close with Casilla serving in a primary setup role. Madson didn’t pitch that well last season though has racked up 30 saves as his ratios were worse than Casilla (6.82 K/9, 2.45 K/BB, 1.28 WHIP). Two vets, both coming off solid but unspectacular seasons. At least the Athletics gave themselves options. Don’t overlook the fact that the club could also turn to Sean Doolittle if the Star Wars loving lefty can prove to be healthy, something that is becoming increasingly rare. There is also Ryan Dull who pitched the best out of all the names mentioned in this report last season. However, the signing of Casilla downgrades Doolittle and Dull without question. 

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