On a day that included the Atlanta Braves extended star Austin Riley for ten years, they made three trades. Early on, they brought back utility man Ehire Adrianza in a minor trade. Tonight, they sent veteran reliever Will Smith to the Houston Astros for Jake Odorizzi, then traded prospect Kris Anglin to the Tigers for outfielder Robbie Grossman.
The Astros had a surplus of starters, with six valid options. Odorizzi was the worst of the bunch, but also the hardest to move because of his age and contract. The Astros were able to do so while also getting a reliever back. Smith has been a valuable closer at times, but he has had a terrible 2022 season. He’s walked a career-high 12.3 percent of batters, while allowing seven home runs. The Braves arguably make an addition via subtraction with Smith, while also getting a back-end starter. Odorizzi has a player option for next year, while Smith has an expensive club option.
Odorizzi, 32, has a 3.75 ERA with 46 strikeouts, a 3.62 FIP, and a 1.150 WHIP in 60 innings for the Astros this year. In his MLB career for the Astros, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Kansas City Royals, Odorizzi has a 3.94 ERA with 1132 strikeouts, a 4.12 FIP, and a 1.236 WHIP in 1207 innings pitched.
Smith, 33, has a 4.38 ERA with 41 strikeouts, a 5.23 FIP, and a 1.514 WHIP in 37 innings pitched for the Braves this year. In his career for the Braves, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, and Royals, Smith has a 3.61 ERA with 640 strikeouts, a 3.66 FIP, and a 1.241 WHIP in 531.2 innings pitched.
Grossman is reminiscent of last year’s trades for Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler. Both were veterans in the midst of a bad season who came to Atlanta and were key contributors in their World Series win. In his prime, Grossman has been a high on-base player who is an asset offensively. But on a Tigers team that is seemingly cursed on offense, Grossman has struggled. His walk rate is still 11.9 percent, which is a positive. The return is slim for a struggling veteran, as Anglin is a 2021 late-round pick with bad Single-A numbers.
Grossman, 32, has hit two homers with three stolen bases, a .313 OBP, and a .595 OPS in 320 Plate Appearances for the Tigers this season. In his MLB career for the Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, and Astros, Grossman has 75 home runs with 60 stolen bases, a .348 OBP, and a .726 OPS in 3739 Plate Appearances.
Anglin, 20, has a 4.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts and a 1.433 WHIP in 52.1 innings pitched between rookie league and Single-A Augusta this season.
CarterHud 