Chicago Cubs: Bullpen can still improve following Craig Kimbrel signing

Chicago Cubs: One year of Will Smith could be worth it

If the Cubs aren’t able to land Hand or Doolittle, a lesser known name they should explore is Will Smith from the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are going nowhere this year and with Smith enjoying arguably his best season in the big leagues, they would be wise to move him.

This year in 23 games, Smith has already recorded 13 saves after recording 14 all of last season. He also has not blown a save for the Giants this season. On the year, Smith has posted a career-low 2.38 ERA while allowing just six earned runs to score.

This season Smith has shown much more control than in the past. He’s managed a career-low 1.6 BB/9 rate which is down from 2.5 a season ago. He’s only walked four batters all year and has struck out 26, which is good for his career-high 8.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Unfortunately, Smith has struggled a bit in lefty-lefty match-ups this season. Against left-handers, he’s pitching to the tune of a 3.86 ERA after facing 20 batters. It’s a small sample size, but he’s given up a walk, three hits and two earned runs.

Despite those struggles, he would be a worthy addition to the Cubs bullpen in the late innings. He is set to become a free agent at the end of this season, so as a rental the Cubs wouldn’t have to give up a whole lot to get him.