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Chicago Cubs trade for Joe Smith from the Anaheim Angels

By Nicholas D. Blazek

May 19, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Joe Smith (38) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Los Angeles Angels won 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Joe Smith (38) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Los Angeles Angels won 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Cubs have continued to address their bullpen concerns by trading for RHP Joe Smith from the Anaheim Angels. The addition marks the third reliever the Cubs have added before the deadline.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired Joe Smith from the Anaheim Angels for Jesus Castillo, who currently is in short-season A ball for the Eugene Emeralds.

Smith will join the Cubs, the fourth team he’ll be playing for in his career. He’s played for the Mets, Indians and Angels as he’ll now join the Cubs on the North Side. He’s 1-4 this season with a 3.82 ERA for an Angels team that has been a disappointment following early season expectations.

Smith carries a career 2.94 ERA and allowed just a .214 BA against righties. In 2014 Smith posted a 1.81 ERA while saving 15 of 19 games for the Angels. With three new names in the bullpen, the landscape of this relief staff is going to change quickly. One person that has no worries would be Travis Wood.

Jesus Castillo was part of the package when the Cubs traded fan favorite Tony Campana to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was 2-3 this season with 38 strikeouts in 33 innings. There’s some upside there with Castillo, but being in Short Season A Ball he’s still a long way away.

With the Cubs close to getting Jorge Soler back, as well as acquiring Smith–some moves on the roster will be upcoming. Brian Matusz was released today, which will clear a spot on the 25-man roster. Be sure to check back with us later as we’ll have some deeper analysis of the all the Cubs additions at the trade deadline, as well as a look at the moves they didn’t make.

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