Joe Smith

2013

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2012

Smith was effective despite a low (6.04 K/9IP) strikeout rate as he finally found a way to get left-handed batters out on a consistent basis, limiting them to a meager .460 OPS in 90 plate appearances. He'll team up with Vinnie Pestano to give the Indians a pair of right-handed options to set up closer Chris Perez, but he's nowhere near the top of the list in terms of replacing Perez in the event of injury or ineffectiveness.

2011

Smith got off to a slow start last season thanks to a knee injury but got back on track, posting a 3.83 ERA and a 1.350 WHIP in 53 appearances out of the Cleveland bullpen. He eats up righties, but has enough trouble against lefties (.925 OPS in his career) to limit his usage and value. He'll be back in a non-closing role for the Indians again this year.

2010

Smith got off to a late start thanks to an illness in spring training and a shoulder injury in May, but posted his second straight serviceable season upon returning. Lefties continue to give him enough problems (.320/.424/.484 for his career) to dismiss any real talk of taking over the closer duties if Kerry Wood is dealt, but he chewed up righties again (.217/.307/.330 career, .198/.271/.344 last year) to give the Indians a nice late-inning match-up chip. His struggles against lefties will keep him from taking the next step up however.

2009

Smith got off to a strong start, then faded in the middle, possibly due to being overworked, but closed with a flourish. His 94 mph sinking fastball and hard slider was the death of many right-handed batters, limiting them to a .192 BA, but his changeup - which he developed to neutralize lefties - was subpar last season, as southpaws hit .320 against him. Smith was traded to the Indians as part of a three-team deal with Seattle that landed the Mets J.J. Putz. In Cleveland, he'll likely will be a set-up man for new closer Kerry Wood.

2008

Smith blazed through spring training, utilizing his 94 mph sinking fastball and hard slider to retire right-handed batters and changeup - which drops off the table - to neutralize lefties and broke camp with the team. Smith dominated the first two months of the year, throwing 17 scoreless appearances at one stretch, before overuse took some of the bite off his slider and hitters learned to lay off it to get ahead in the count. Smith also saw the velocity off his fastball dip dramatically while his pitches stayed up in the zone, two more true signs of fatigue. A week off without pitching after his demotion to the minors helped, but he then went through a bout of bicep tendinitis and was hit after being called back to the majors. The Mets expect Smith to earn a spot in their bullpen, but it wouldn't be surprising if he opened 2008 at Triple-A New Orleans.