Smoak has no Smoke !

[durango46]

He's only 26
19 homers and 51 RBIs last year, with a batting average of .217
defensively he's pretty good. But I still feel this team needs another big bat. See last years struggles at the plate.

this guy had potential a couple of years ago and may still have a little left in the tank.

you interested


I'll pass

[Gizmo]

Pass.

If we're going to go after Smoak we should have just kept Reynolds. Of course, it can be argued that Smoak might blossom and has a bigger upside than Reynolds. I would still say pass, unless we get him pretty cheap, which I doubt. I would not give up Tillman for him. No way. Matusz maybe.

Besides, we already have 1 guy from Goose Creek S.C. with a 'long swing that doesn't make contact as much as he should' (quoted from the Sun article).


Edited to add that I would definitely give up Matusz for him. No way is Seattle going to go for that straight up, though.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

They should have kept Reynolds. Big mistake letting him go. He was a gamer.

[Morgan208]

I'll pass, the problem is , will the Orioles? So far we have done nothing to improve.

[BiggSeth]

I don't trade even Matusz for him, but if they would consider someone like Tommy Hunter or Steve Johnson, I'd consider it....

I think Matusz will find a nice role as a lefty specialist/1 inning guy. he seemed to get some confidence back in that role.

Heck, he may even become an Arthur Rhodes type in the "el Vulturro" role of that swingman who keeps the team in the game 1 time through the lineup....

Smoak, while interesting is not worth that type of pitcher.....

[Far from home]

I'm in the boat where, as long as he doesn't cost much, he's a good pickup.
Seattle's park is known to bear down on batters, and he would probably pick up coming to the O's.
Strikeouts are only a concern if the batter doesn't know how to bear down when he needs to, i.e. Reynolds.
I would trade Matusz for him.
Even if Brian turns out to be something more, I don't see him ever becoming an effective starter, and I think the O's have plenty of bullpen options at this point to cover for his loss.

[Manny]

It's ironic that many are talking about trading Matusz for Smoak. I remember that same debate here around the 2008 MLB draft. Interestingly, Ryan Flaherty went 41st overall in that draft.

[Oriole Dave]

I don't trade even Matusz for him, but if they would consider someone like Tommy Hunter or Steve Johnson, I'd consider it....

I agree with that and I’ll add unless he forces his way on to the club in the spring he belongs at Norfolk. A contender doesn’t pencil a guy like that to play 1st base 150+ games.

[weird-O]

I don't trade even Matusz for him, but if they would consider someone like Tommy Hunter or Steve Johnson, I'd consider it....

I think Matusz will find a nice role as a lefty specialist/1 inning guy. he seemed to get some confidence back in that role.

Heck, he may even become an Arthur Rhodes type in the "el Vulturro" role of that swingman who keeps the team in the game 1 time through the lineup....

Smoak, while interesting is not worth that type of pitcher.....

it's interesting that you are willing to give up Johnson, who has succeeded in every role he was asked to fill. but you won't give up Matusz who has failed in every roles he attempted to fill.

I'm not necessarily a fan of Smoak, but I'd take a 1Bman, with a very good glove and the possibility of improving, over a pitcher who can't be relied on to get 4 outs in a single game, before giving up the lead/game.

[paz73]

He's only 26
19 homers and 51 RBIs last year, with a batting average of .217
defensively he's pretty good. But I still feel this team needs another big bat. See last years struggles at the plate.

this guy had potential a couple of years ago and may still have a little left in the tank.

you interested


I'll pass

Safeco Field has been brutal on Seattle's talented young hitters (and opposing hitters). Last season the Mariners ranked eighth among the 30 MLB team in runs scored on the road (and tied for sixth in homeruns on the road).

In 2012 Justin Smoak hit 15 homeruns on the road and might have been a 30-homerun slugger if Smoak had played his home games in a hitter-friendly park such as Camden Yards.

The careers of Justin Smoak and lefthander Brian Matusz have interesting parallels. They were born 68 days apart and each played three years of college baseball. In the June 2008 draft, Smoak was taken with the 11th pick and Matusz with the fourth pick. Smoak was Baseball America's 23rd-ranked prospect in 2009 and 13th-ranked prospect in 2010. Matusz was BA's 25th-ranked prospect in 2009 and fifth-ranked prospect in 2010.

Each has struggled at the MLB level, although each remains under his team's control for four more seasons*.

With Charlie Furbush, Oliver Perez and Lucas Luetge on board, Seattle probably does not needed another lefty reliever. But with the recent trade of Jason Vargas, the Mariners could use a lefthanded starter to fill in until Danny Hultzen or James Paxton are ready to join the rotation.

* Cot's Baseball Contracts shows Matusz with two years and 156 days of MLB service, making the lefthander a so-called Super Two who is projected to earn a $1 million salary in his first arbitration year. Justin Smoak has two years and 113 days of MLB service and may earn near the league minimum in 2013 because the switch-hitter fell short of Super Two status.

[OsfaninCA]

They should have kept Reynolds. Big mistake letting him go. He was a gamer.

Seriously...Reynolds was terrible and hit for one month. Good riddance. That being said another reclamation project is stupid. Smoak is no answer. Really improve infield and line up and sign LaRoche.

[weird-O]

Seriously...Reynolds was terrible and hit for one month. Good riddance.

the one thing that could be a variable is that he started to hit after he was moved o 1B and his defense improved. I think it's possible that he was carrying his horrible D with him to the plate. once he got that settled, he started to hit.

it will be interesting to see how he performs in Cleveland, now that he's the everyday 1Bman

[Far from home]

Safeco Field has been brutal on Seattle's talented young hitters (and opposing hitters). Last season the Mariners ranked eighth among the 30 MLB team in runs scored on the road (and tied for sixth in homeruns on the road).

In 2012 Justin Smoak hit 15 homeruns on the road and might have been a 30-homerun slugger if Smoak had played his home games in a hitter-friendly park such as Camden Yards.

The careers of Justin Smoak and lefthander Brian Matusz have interesting parallels. They were born 68 days apart and each played three years of college baseball. In the June 2008 draft, Smoak was taken with the 11th pick and Matusz with the fourth pick. Smoak was Baseball America's 23rd-ranked prospect in 2009 and 13th-ranked prospect in 2010. Matusz was BA's 25th-ranked prospect in 2009 and fifth-ranked prospect in 2010.

Each has struggled at the MLB level, although each remains under his team's control for four more seasons*.

With Charlie Furbush, Oliver Perez and Lucas Luetge on board, Seattle probably does not needed another lefty reliever. But with the recent trade of Jason Vargas, the Mariners could use a lefthanded starter to fill in until Danny Hultzen or James Paxton are ready to join the rotation.

* Cot's Baseball Contracts shows Matusz with two years and 156 days of MLB service, making the lefthander a so-called Super Two who is projected to earn a $1 million salary in his first arbitration year. Justin Smoak has two years and 113 days of MLB service and may earn near the league minimum in 2013 because the switch-hitter fell short of Super Two status.

Exactly.
This, imo, is a buy low opportunity, and Smoak has something to prove.
This would allow Showalter to have a true competition in ST, with the winner getting 1b, and the loser maybe getting DH.

[BiggSeth]

it's interesting that you are willing to give up Johnson, who has succeeded in every role he was asked to fill. but you won't give up Matusz who has failed in every roles he attempted to fill.

I'm not necessarily a fan of Smoak, but I'd take a 1Bman, with a very good glove and the possibility of improving, over a pitcher who can't be relied on to get 4 outs in a single game, before giving up the lead/game.

......needs vs potential plain and simple.....

[weird-O]

......needs vs potential plain and simple.....

if I'm understanding you correctly, you're saying that you would trade the potential of Johnson to fill the need of a 1Bman. but you're not willing to part with the potential of Matusz?

[BiggSeth]

steve johnson = josh towers.

Once the league gets to see him several times, they will show his lack of potential.

Matusz has the 'stuff' to be a productive LOOGY or even a 1-time through the order pitcher for years to come....



Must be a slow week under the bridge.....

[weird-O]

steve johnson = josh towers.

Once the league gets to see him several times, they will show his lack of potential.

Matusz has the 'stuff' to be a productive LOOGY or even a 1-time through the order pitcher for years to come....



Must be a slow week under the bridge.....

wow, insulting someone because he has the audacity to ask you to elaborate on your opinion. good job internet tough guy.