Journeyman southpaw Drew Smyly has come off the free-agent board. The 31-year-old agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Braves on Monday afternoon, as per a team announcement.
Smyly spent the 2020 season with San Francisco pitching to a 3.42 ERA (2.01 FIP) with 42 strikeouts and nine walks over seven appearances with the Giants (five starts; 26.1 innings)
After missing a handful of appearances in August with a left finger strain, the left-hander finished the year strong over four starts in September (18 innings, 31 strikeouts, five walks, .191/.243/.324 line against).
The seven-year MLB veteran (4.12 ERA, 101 ERA+) has been all over the league in recent years.
Smyly was traded from the Cubs to the Rangers in November 2018, was designated for assignment and by Texas in June 2019, latched on with and was released by Milwaukee over the span of a week in July of that year, then finished up with the Phillies (4.45 ERA in 12 starts).
In what is supposed to be a financially strapped market this winter for most teams, Smyly getting $11 million over one season is a bit of a surprise. Though, it’s easy to see where this momentum came from, considering his 2020 performance.
We’ll keep you updated with more hot stove developments as they’re being reported.
