The Chicago Cubs added depth to a fatigued bullpen minutes before Monday's trade deadline by acquiring sidearm reliever Joe Smith from the Los Angeles Angels, a source confirmed.
Smith, 32, was 1-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 38 appearances for the Angels. Smith was a third round pick of the New York Mets in the 2006 draft and has pitched for Cleveland and the Angels as well as the Mets.
Smith has a lifetime 40-27 record and 2.94 ERA in 623 major league appearances. Right-handed batters have a lifetime .214 batting average against him. Smith will be a free agent after this season.
Manager Joe Maddon has liked the idea of having a sidearm reliever from his days with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chad Bradford.
"I like funk," Maddon said last year after the Cubs acquired submarine style reliever Ben Rowan for one day.
A National League scout said Smith will provide a solid fit for the Cubs in a seventh-inning role shared with Pedro Strop.
The Cubs dealt Class-A Eugene pitcher Jesus Castillo to the Angels' organization for Smith.
The trade was first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.
