Cubs acquire Joe Smith from Angels

The Chicago Cubs added a bullpen piece in a trade on Monday. 

They have acquired right-handed reliever Joe Smith from the Angels, as Buster Olney of ESPN reports. In exchange for Smith, the Angels received minor league right-hander Jesus Castillo. 

Smith is a good add for the Cubs, who already took a huge step forward in terms of bullpen depth earlier in the trade season when they acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees. Anyhow, Smith still adds to a team that ranks 21st in bullpen WAR. 

The 32-year-old Smith is 1-4 with a 3.82 ERA and a 25-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 37 2/3 innings pitched this season. He is a free agent at the end of the year and did not cost Chicago a lot. 

It is possible that Smith will serve in the seventh inning role going forward, with Hector Rondon pitching the eighth. 

​--Devan Fink

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