From GopherBall: Joe Smith isn't even the most anticipated offseason addition to his own bullpen (that honor goes to Kerry Wood) but Smith may have just as much impact on the back end of the Tribe's pen. So... here are three reasons why Joe Smith is this year's most underrated offseason acquisition:
1) Smith locks down right-handed hitters. He held righties to a .192 BA in 2009, more than 100 points lower than the Indians primary set up man, Rafael Betancourt, was able to do in '08 (.295). Both of the Indians top set up men, Betancourt and Rafael Perez excel against lefties (Betancourt held them to a .252 BA, Perez .222). The addition of Smith allows the Indians to use the two “Rafaels” in more favorable matchups, rather than forcing them to take on opponents top right handed hitters.
2) He's cool, calm and collected under pressure. Last season only two pitchers inherited more runners than Smith (63) and of the 44 pitchers to inherit at least 40 runners no one allowed a smaller percentage of them to score (17 pct).
3) He's consistent, regardless of the situation. With the bases empty, Smith held opponents to a .195 BA. With runners in scoring position, the BA climbed only to .206.
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