Will Smith Stats

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-hander Will Smith to an undisclosed one-year major-league contract on Saturday. Smith will join the team's spring training workouts on Saturday. The 33-year-old reliever pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in 2022, posting a 3.97 ERA (4.26 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, five saves and 65 strikeouts in 59 relief innings over 65 appearances out of the bullpen. He became a free agent when Houston declined his $13 million option for 2023. With current closer Jose Leclerc (neck) dealing with a neck injury that could land him on the injured list to begin the regular season, Smith could step in right away as Texas' closer. Smith was an All-Star with the San Francisco Giants in 2019 when he saved 34 games, and he saved a career-high 37 games in 2021 with the Braves.

26 days ago

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Trey Mancini and relief pitcher Will Smith have become free agents after the team declined to pick up their options for the 2023 season. Mancini had a $10 million mutual option for next year, while Smith's 2023 option was worth $13 million. Mancini wasn't playing every day in Houston after they acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, and he hit just .176 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 51 games to close out the regular season. But the 30-year-old can still provide some pop as an outfielder, DH or first baseman with another team in 2023. Smith was acquired from the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 1 and had a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 24 K's in 22 relief innings for Houston to close out the year. The 33-year-old should latch on elsewhere, but he's unlikely to find a gig as a closer.

4 months ago

The Houston Astros added left-handed reliever Will Smith to their roster for the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In a corresponding move, the team dropped right-hander Seth Martinez from the roster. With the Phillies having a lot of left-handed hitters, it makes more sense for Houston to add another left-hander to their bullpen this week. Another positive is that the 33-year-old southpaw has a 1.47 ERA in 18 1/3 career playoff innings and also won the World Series with the Atlanta Braves last year. He hasn't pitched yet in this year's postseason, and he had a 3.97 ERA (4.27 FIP), a 1.41 WHIP, 65 strikeouts and five saves in 59 relief innings for the Braves and Astros in 65 appearances in 2022.

5 months ago