Did Drew Smyly Get Traded?

Frank Jones

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Did Drew Smyly Get Traded

Drew Smyly, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, made headlines in July 2014 when he was involved in a three-team deal in the middle of the season. Many baseball fans were left wondering: did Drew Smyly get traded? This trade had significant implications for all three teams involved.

Keep reading to find out more about the deal and how it affected Smyly’s career.

Breakdown of the Trade

The trade that sent Drew Smyly from the Detroit Tigers to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31, 2014, was a complicated three-team deal that also involved the Seattle Mariners.

In this trade, the Tigers acquired starting pitcher David Price from the Rays, the Mariners received outfielder Austin Jackson from the Tigers, and the Rays received infielder Nick Franklin from the Mariners and Smyly and prospect Willy Adames from the Tigers.

The details of the trade were a bit convoluted, as each team was looking to improve its roster in different ways. The Tigers, who were in the middle of a playoff race, saw Price as an ace pitcher who could help take their team to the next level.

The Rays, who were out of contention, were looking to acquire young talent like Adames and Franklin, as well as a solid starter like Smyly, who can help them in future seasons. The Mariners, who were also in the playoff hunt, wanted to add a proven outfielder like Jackson to their lineup.

The trade was seen as a win-win for all three teams at the time, as each team was able to address its specific needs. However, looking back at the trade, it’s clear that some teams fared better than others. The Mariners, who gave up the least in the trade, got the most out of it in terms of production.

Jackson was an important part of their lineup down the stretch, and he helped them make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Meanwhile, the Rays were able to acquire some promising young talent in Adames, who has turned into one of their top prospects, but Smyly never really panned out for them.

The Tigers, who gave up Smyly and some valuable prospects in the trade, got the least out of it in terms of production. While Price did help them make the playoffs in 2014, he was a rental player who left in free agency after the season.

Smyly, on the other hand, has turned into a solid starter for the Rays, and he’s been a key part of their rotation for several seasons.

Overall, reactions from fans and analysts were mixed at the time of the trade. Some praised the Tigers for going all-in and acquiring a top pitcher like Price, while others criticized them for giving up too much in the trade.

The Mariners were generally seen as winners in the trade, as they were able to acquire a valuable player without giving up much in return. The Rays were seen as somewhat of a wildcard, as they acquired some promising young talent but also gave up a valuable starter in Smyly.

Impact on Tigers

Loss of Smyly

Trading away Drew Smyly was a significant loss for the Tigers. Smyly, a left-handed pitcher, had been a valuable part of the Tigers’ bullpen and starting rotation since his debut in 2012. In 2014, he had a solid 3.77 ERA and a 1.324 WHIP before the trade. His versatility to pitch in various roles made him even more valuable.

Addition of David Price

The Tigers acquired All-Star pitcher David Price in the trade, which was seen as an upgrade over Smyly. Price was known for his consistency and a dominant left-handed pitcher, making him a perfect player to fill Smyly’s spot in the starting rotation.

Price delivered an impressive 2.90 ERA and 1.126 WHIP in his 11 games with the Tigers to finish the 2014 season.

Overall Assessment of the Trade for the Tigers

Trading Smyly to acquire Price was viewed as a win-now move for the Tigers. They were legitimate World Series contenders, and adding the 2012 AL Cy Young Winner (Price) to their pitching staff was seen as a necessary move to improve their chances of winning it all.

However, the trade could be considered a lateral move since the Tigers gave up a talented young player in Smyly for a pitcher who would be a free agent the next year.

In the long term, the trade didn’t work out for the Tigers as they failed to win the World Series that year. David Price eventually left as a free agent, and Drew Smyly has gone on to have a successful career as a starter for the Tigers, Mariners, Rangers, Cubs, and Giants.

In conclusion, trading Smyly for Price was a calculated move by the Tigers to improve their World Series chance but could be viewed as a lateral move as they gave up a promising young player for a short-term gain.

As it turned out, the trade didn’t help the Tigers win the World Series, but Smyly has had a successful career as a starter, proving himself a valuable player for the Tigers.

Impact on Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays made a bold move during the 2014 trade deadline, acquiring Drew Smyly from the Detroit Tigers in a three-team deal that shook up the AL East.

Smyly, a left-handed pitcher, had been a solid performer for the Tigers but was deemed expendable in the pursuit of David Price. For the Rays, the acquisition of Smyly was a big win, as they added a young, talented pitcher to their rotation.

Acquisition of Smyly

Drew Smyly was just 25 years old when the Rays acquired him in 2014, and he was coming off a solid season with the Tigers. He had a 3.77 ERA in 100.0 innings pitched, with a 7-10 record and 89 strikeouts.

The Rays were hopeful that Smyly would continue to improve and become a stalwart in their rotation. They were not disappointed. In his first season with the Rays, Smyly pitched to a 3.24 ERA in 153.0 innings pitched, with a 9-10 record and 133 strikeouts.

He provided a steady presence in the rotation and showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season.

Loss of Nick Franklin

In exchange for Smyly, the Rays gave up Nick Franklin. Franklin was a former top prospect who had struggled to find his footing in the majors. He had been traded from the Mariners to the Rays earlier in the season and was seen as a potential piece for the future.

However, the Rays felt that Smyly was a better fit for their team and were willing to part with Franklin to make the trade happen. While Franklin has shown flashes of potential since the trade (posting a .896 OPS in 2020), he has not lived up to his top prospect billing.

Overall Assessment of the Trade for the Rays

Overall, the trade was a win for the Rays. They were able to acquire a talented young pitcher in Drew Smyly without giving up too much in return. While Nick Franklin was a promising prospect, his lack of production in the majors made him a relatively expendable piece.

Smyly provided a steady presence in the rotation for the Rays and showed that he had the potential to be a frontline starter. While the Rays ultimately traded Smyly in 2016, he was an important part of their team for two seasons and was a key contributor in their playoff runs.

Impact on Mariners

Acquisition of Jackson

The acquisition of outfielder Austin Jackson was the primary benefit for the Seattle Mariners in the three-team trade involving the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Jackson had been a consistent performer for the Tigers, providing strong defense in the outfield and a solid leadoff hitter, recording a .685 OPS with Detroit in 2014. The Mariners were in need of offensive production from the outfield and a reliable top of the batting order hitter.

Jackson would provide both of these for Seattle. Despite Jackson’s inconsistent offense during his time with the Mariners, he proved to be a valuable asset in the playoffs, hitting .300 in the 2014 American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals.

Loss of Price

The loss of David Price was a significant blow to the Seattle Mariners. The star left-handed pitcher had been acquired by the Tigers in the three-team trade, and his presence in the starting rotation would have made a significant impact for the Mariners.

Price had a remarkable track record, winning the 2012 American League Cy Young Award and posting a 2.53 ERA during his time with the Tigers in 2014. Losing such a dominant pitcher hurt the Mariners’ chances of playoff contention and ultimately proved costly in the long run.

Overall Assessment of the Trade for the Mariners

Overall, the three-team trade proved to be a mixed bag for the Seattle Mariners. On the one hand, the acquisition of Austin Jackson was a significant step forward for the team, providing them with a reliable outfielder and top-of-the-order hitter.

On the other hand, the loss of David Price, one of the premier starting pitchers in the league, was a significant setback for the team’s playoff hopes. While the trade may have temporarily improved the Mariners’ outfield and offense, it ultimately led to a weaker starting rotation and ultimately proved to be a setback for the team’s long-term aspirations.

How Much Does Drew Smyly Make a Year?

Drew Smyly’s Guaranteed Salary

  • $19 Million Over Two Years

  • Smyly signed a two-year contract in December 2020.

  • The contract guarantees him a total of $19 million.

  • This breaks down to $8 million in 2021 and $8.5 million in 2023.

  • Smyly’s guaranteed salary makes him one of the highest-paid players on the team.

Potential Salary Increases

  • Mutual Option for $10 Million in 2025

  • In addition to his guaranteed salary, Smyly has the potential to earn even more money.

  • The contract includes a $10 million mutual option for 2025.

  • This means that both Smyly and the team must agree to exercise the option.

  • If exercised, Smyly’s salary in 2025 would be $10 million.

Buyout Clause

  • $2.5 Million if Mutual Option is Not Exercised

  • If the mutual option for 2025 is not exercised, Smyly will still receive a $2.5 million buyout.

  • This buyout is designed to compensate Smyly for the potential loss of earnings if the option is not exercised.

  • It also protects the team in case Smyly underperforms or suffers an injury that prevents him from playing.

Average Annual Salary

  • $9.5 Million

  • Smyly’s total guaranteed salary over two years averages out to $9.5 million per year.

  • This is a significant amount of money, even by MLB standards.

  • However, it should be noted that many players in the league earn much more than this.

  • The average annual salary for MLB players is around $4 million.

Other Factors that Influence Smyly’s Earnings:

  • Although Smyly’s base salary is guaranteed, his actual earnings can vary from year to year.

  • For example, he may be eligible for performance bonuses based on his individual achievements or the team’s success.

  • Additionally, Smyly’s earnings can be affected by factors such as injuries, suspensions, and other unforeseen circumstances.

  • Despite these variables, Smyly’s guaranteed salary provides him with a substantial amount of financial security for the next two years.

What Tigers Were Traded?

The Detroit Tigers traded Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens to the Philadelphia Phillies. Soto was a left-handed pitcher for the Tigers. He appeared in 41 games for the Tigers in 2021. Soto had a record of 2-4 with an ERA of 4.71 during the 2021 season.

Clemens was an infielder for the Tigers. He played in 18 games for the Tigers in 2021. Clemens had a batting average of .245 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI during the 2021 season. The trade was for three players, which have not yet been announced by the Tigers.

The trade was made during the MLB winter meetings in December 2021. The Tigers hope that the players they received in the trade will help improve their roster for the upcoming season.

To Recap

Drew Smyly was indeed traded on July 31, 2014, in a three-team deal that sent him to the Tampa Bay Rays. This unexpected move came as a surprise to many baseball fans, as Smyly had been a reliable pitcher for the Tigers.

However, this trade ultimately benefited all three teams involved. Smyly continued to have a successful career with the Rays and has since played for several other teams, including the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants.

This trade serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the impact that trades can have on players’ careers.

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