Astros: 7 Players Who Could Help at the Trade Deadline

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Caleb Smith #31 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on April 01, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Caleb Smith – Left-Handed Starting Pitcher – Miami Marlins

As a former Sam Houston State University grad and someone who covered their baseball squad when Caleb Smith was on it, this is purely a homer pick for me.

The Miami Marlins, much like the Orioles, Tigers, and White Sox, are still rebuilding. Derek Jeter will no doubt see the strong start that Caleb Smith has carved out for himself and try to get the utmost prospects in return for Miami.

The 27-year-old southpaw has put his dreadful 2018 behind him and is now sitting with a 2.81 ERA and undefeated in six games. His SO/9 has jumped up from 10.2 in 2018 to 11.3. He has also learned to keep the ball in play as he has dropped his FIP from 3.96 to 2.81. That is right on par with Justin Verlander.

In comparison this season:

Justin Verlander: 44 IP , 53 K , 3.74 FIP, .864 WHIP, 10.8 SO/9
Caleb Smith: 36 IP, 45 K, 2.81 FIP, .833 WHIP, 11.3 SO/9

With one game removed, that is a fantastic stat line to hang your hat o

n, especially for someone that throws lefty.

Next. Astros Prospect Watch: Tucker getting hot and Alvarez getting hotter. dark

Controllable through 2024, I’m sure it will be a rough go to even try to pry this stud away from the Marlins. Jeter may like the idea of Sixto Sanchez and Caleb Smith being a solid 1-2 punch. We’ve also seen his unwavering negotiations in action, as he was adamant that Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitley be included in Realmuto trades.

Contract: 1 yr $557 K in 2019 – ARB eligible 2024
Marlins Needs: SP,1B,2B,3B,OF,RP,CL, Front Office
Likelihood of happening: Low to Unlikely

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