San Francisco Giants rumors: Most likely landing spots for Will Smith

Boston Red Sox

After a terrible start, the Red Sox have clawed their way back in contention for at least a wild-card spot and will be looking to strengthen their roster as we approach the latter stages of the season. With a relative lack of experienced options in the bullpen, and employing a committee approach to the closer role, they would benefit hugely from someone with Smith’s profile. Unlike some teams, they would not flinch at taking on Smith’s $4.25 million contract for the remainder of the season.

Tampa Bay Rays

After a very strong start to the season, the Rays are slipping out of contention for the AL East title and now have one eye on the wildcard race. Couple this with the fact that their bullpen is tied for first in MLB by FanGraphs WAR (2.7), and the Rays seem like an unlikely landing spot on the surface. Still, their creative approach to building a staff and reliance on strong pitching puts them in the conversation.

Minnesota Twins

Another team employing a closer-by-committee, the Twins have a balanced bullpen with no standout performers so far in 2019. With a strong rotation that has swallowed the bulk of the team’s innings, the Twins have called on their relievers to pitch just 147 innings, which is the fifth-fewest in MLB. If their bullpen starts to see more action down the stretch, strengthening it could become a priority. At the moment, they need Smith less than some of the other contenders.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians kept their powder dry through the offseason, perhaps wrongly expecting to win the AL Central comfortably. They have a fight on their hands now to secure the division title, although they might see hitting as more of a priority given that only three teams in the AL have produced just 1.5 wins above replacement with the bat. On top of that, Smith is very unlikely to unseat established closer Brad Hand, so I feel he is unlikely to end up in Cleveland.

Philadelphia Phillies

Very bold with their offseason additions, the Phillies have made their intentions clear. Their competitive window is open right now and they are likely to be aggressive shoppers at the deadline, given that the race in the NL East will probably come down to the wire. Starting pitching might be more of a priority for the Phillies—among NL teams only the Giants and the St Louis Cardinals rotations have been less productive per FanGraphs WAR—but there is definitely room for Smith in the bullpen. The ongoing injury woes of David Robertson have left a hole in the late innings.

Atlanta Braves

Another team in a tight race in the NL East, the Braves will surely be looking to add pieces as they push for a postseason berth. The Braves relievers rank 27th in MLB in terms of FanGraphs WAR, so it would make sense for them to prioritize the bullpen as an area to improve. As a team, they have blown 7-of-20 save opportunities this year, so they will be prioritizing someone like Smith who can get outs in high-leverage situations.

Chicago Cubs

Having offered up No. 1 prospect Gleyber Torres to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman in pursuit of the World Series in 2016, the Cubs have shown they will spend big to get the right reliever. They have blown nearly half of their save opportunities (8-of-17) and their relievers rank 21st in MLB in terms of FanGraphs WAR, so there is room for improvement there. They might well see Smith as the perfect foil to right-handers Steve Cishek and Brad Brach, who have been their standout performers in relief so far in 2019.

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It remains to be seen where San Francisco Giants closer Will Smith will ultimately land this summer. But given his standing as an upcoming free agent, his value as a standout late-inning reliever and the Giants path as sellers, it’s all but certain he will be playing elsewhere by Aug. 1.