The Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest need this offseason is help for their start rotation, and one player they should be targeting is Drew Smyly.
As the 2016-2017 offseason begins the Pittsburgh Pirates really only have one need. That need is starting pitching. And, that need is a big one.
The Pirates 2017 starting rotation has three spots locked up. Those sports are locked up by Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Chad Kuhl. However, after these three there is nothing but question marks.
Left-handed starting pitcher Drew Smyly could help answer some of these questions. At the trade deadline last season the Pirates were tied to Smyly. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to think they may pursue him again this offseason.
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Reportedly, the Pittsburgh Pirates had extensive talks with the Tampa Bay Rays about starting pitchers at the trade deadline in July. One of these starting pitchers was Drew Smyly. And, in my opinion, the Pirates should most certainly revisit those talks this offseason.
In 2016 Drew Smyly pitched 175 1/3 innings for the Rays over the course of 30 starts. In these 175 1/3 innings pitched he averaged 8.57 K/9, 2.52 BB/9, and his WHIP was 1.27. Smyly owned a 4.88 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 4.51 xFIP, and a 2.0 WAR. His biggest problem was that he allowed 32 home runs.
Simply by pitching at PNC Park Smyly’s home run issues should improve. PNC Park is an overall good hitters park. However, it is a great pitchers park for left-handed pitchers due to the huge left field. Additionally, being out of both the American League and the American League East should help Smyly with this issue.
In 2016 Drew Smyly allowed a 19.6 percent line drive rate. This is below league average, but slightly higher than his career line drive rate allowed of 19.2 percent. The same goes for his hard contact rate allowed. So, there are a lot of reasons to expect Drew Smyly to be better in 2017 than 2016.
2016 was also the worst season of Smyly’s career. Due to this, the Pirates would be buying low. By buying low, they could be getting Smyly for a bargain price.
Even with his struggles in 2016 Smyly is a pitcher that owns a 3.74 ERA, 3.82 FIP, and a 3.89 xFIP for his career. In 570 1/3 innings he is averaging 8.71 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, 1.22 HR/9, and his WHIP is 1.20. Once again, his biggest issue is home runs allowed which I believe PNC Park and the National League would fix.
In my opinion, Drew Smyly would be a great fit with the 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates. Due to this I would love to see the Pirates pursue him via trade this offseason. And I believe it is possible since he is a pitcher the Pirates have been tied to in the past.
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