Re: General Discussion

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Angels sign former Indians reliever Smith
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | 11/23/2013 10:30 P.M. ET


ANAHEIM -- The Angels and free-agent reliever Joe Smith agreed to a three-year contract worth just over $15 million on Saturday night. The deal, first reported by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and MLB Network, won't be announced until Smith completes a physical next week.

Smith owns a 2.42 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 2.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio with the Indians over the last three years. For the Angels, the 29-year-old right-hander will provide a major boost to the back end of the bullpen, joining closer Ernesto Frieri, lefty Sean Burnett, and power right-handers Michael Kohn, Dane De La Rosa and Kevin Jepsen.

On Friday, the Angels also acquired 28-year-old righty Fernando Salas along with third baseman David Freese, as part of the four-player trade that sent outfielders Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk to the Cardinals.

The Angels still need to add at least two starting pitchers, but were targeting a veteran setup man like Smith -- along with Edward Mujica -- to round out the bullpen.

The Angels' 40-man roster is currently full, so a corresponding move would have to be made to get Smith on the roster.

Re: General Discussion

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Jason Hammel - S - Orioles

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Jason Hammel's agents are asking for a three- or four-year deal.
We have a hard time seeing that happen after Hammel posted a disappointing 4.97 ERA over 26 starts and three relief appearances this past season. The 31-year-old missed time with a forearm injury and saw his strikeout rate fall considerably from 2012.

It might be in his best interests to settle for a one-year deal and test the market again next winter.
Duh

Sheesh. No wonder the Tribe looked into Hammel, then quickly moved on.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain