MLB trade rumors: Indians acquire Joe Smith from Blue Jays

The Cleveland Indians have acquired right-handed reliever Joe Smith from the Toronto Blue Jays, per the Ken Rosenthal with the blue check mark and everything. According to Paul Hoynes, Samad Taylor and Thomas Pannone are the prospects heading back to Toronto.

Smith, 33, pitched with the Indians from 2009 to 2013. This season, Smith is striking out more batters than ever before, 35.4 percent, and his 6.9 percent walk rate is one of the lowest of his career. Smith’s velocity is in the high-80s, low-90s where it’s always been, but his slider has been an absolute killer with the Blue Jays.

The Indians were previously reported to be interested in Zach Britton as a longshot (or longshoreman if you’re Bob Nightengale), but Smith may enough to tide them over as an extra arm out of the bullpen. While he’s not the left-handed pitcher the Indians need to replace Boone logan, lefties only have a career .309 wOBA against him.