Blue Jays acquire Mallex Smith



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The Blue Jays have acquired an outfielder Mallex smith of the Reds, according to Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. Presumably, as is the case with most after-deadline swaps, the Jays simply sent money back to Cincinnati in return.

Smith was eligible for the trade due to the fact that he is playing the 2021 season under a contract with the minor leagues and had not been called up to the Majors or previously categorically by any other club this season. . The 28-year-old opened the season on a minor league contract with the Mets, but has not appeared in a game for them. He broke his foot early in his tenure with the organization and was let go in mid-June. He signed with Cincinnati soon after and was soon ready to play for the Reds’ main branch in Louisville.

It hasn’t been a particularly productive season so far for Smith in Triple-A, as he’s only posted a .231 / .296 / .292 batting line in 22 games and 71 home plate appearances. since he has recovered enough to take the field. He’s slipped four goals in six tries with Louisville, and his ability to keep racking up those steals is his biggest asset.

From 2017-19, Smith hit .262 / .332 / .367 in 356 games with the Rays and Mariners, connecting on 10 home runs, 54 doubles, 23 triples and stealing 102 sacks in 128 attempts (79.7%) . He recorded 40 consecutive stealing seasons in 2018-19, including a 19 season in which his 46 stealing bases topped all of the Major League Baseballs.

Smith is unlikely to be an immediate option for the Jays in the outfield. Toronto has Lourdes Gurriel Jr., George springer, Teoscar Hernandez, Corey Dickerson and Randal Grichuk all on the Major League roster at the moment, so the outfield isn’t exactly a position of need. That said, the rosters will expand to 28 players in September, and Smith will not only provide coverage for injuries but also a potential running and defense specialist if the Jays see fit to use either of them. those additional places in this list. manner.

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