MLB trade rumors: Indians “targeting” Joe Smith

The Cleveland Indians are looking for bullpen help as the trade deadline approaches, and one of their targets is LGFT Joe Smith per Ken Rosenthal.

In the five years that Smith was with the Tribe, he was a dominant reliever as the setup man to Chris Perez. After finding his way to Anaheim, he began closing for the Angels and was decent. Since leaving the Tribe in 2014, Joe has pitched for the Angels, the Cubs, and now the Toronto Blue Jays.

Smith has pitched well for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 3.28 ERA paired with a much better 2.31 FIP. He’s allowed 13 earned runs in 35.2 innings while walking 10 and striking out 51. The Indians are also in on Zach Britton, but should that trade not materialize, a reunion with the 33 year old right hander could be in the works.

[UPDATE:] The trade has reportedly happened. Indians are sending over a pair of minor leaguers to Toronto.