masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIn one trade this afternoon, the Orioles added a corner outfielder and solved their six-for-five starting rotation problem. They acquired Seth Smith from Seattle for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations.
Both players had one year remaining on their contracts, although the Orioles held a 2018 option on Gallardo. Smith signed an extension with Seattle in July 2014 that paid him $6 million in 2015 and $6.75 million last year. An option on his deal for 2017 was picked up for $7…

In one trade this afternoon, the Orioles added a corner outfielder and solved their six-for-five starting rotation problem. They acquired Seth Smith from Seattle for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations.

Both players had one year remaining on their contracts, although the Orioles held a 2018 option on Gallardo. Smith signed an extension with Seattle in July 2014 that paid him $6 million in 2015 and $6.75 million last year. An option on his deal for 2017 was picked up for $7 million. Gallardo was due to earn $11 in 2017 with an option for $13 million for 2018.

Seth-Smith-Mariners-blue-swing-sidebar.jpgSmith hit .249/.342/.415 in 137 games and 438 plate appearances last season with 15 doubles, 16 homers and a career-high 63 RBIs. In his career, he has hit .261/.344/.447.

He led Seattle hitters with a .326 batting average with runners in scoring position, which ranked 12th among American League hitters, and was a .545 batter (6-for-11) with the bases loaded.

Smith brings some needed on-base percentage to the Orioles lineup. Starting in 2011, his OBPs have been .347, .333, .329, .367, .330 and .342.

Among Orioles that played a fair amount last year, only Hyun Soo Kim at .382 and Manny Machado at .343 topped Smith in 2016 OBP.

The 34-year-old lefty hitter does not have good numbers against left-handed pitching in his career and that might lead him to a platoon spot for the Orioles. Last season, he hit .167/.242/.233 against left-handed pitchers and .256/.351/.431 against right-handers. In his career, he has hit .202/.282/.312 with an OPS of .594 versus left-handed pitchers and .272/.355/.472 with an OPS of .827 against right-handers.

Smith hit second for most of last year and has more at-bats in his career batting second than any other spot in the order. But in 373 career plate appearances batting leadoff, he has hit .256/.327/.443.

O’s leaders last year, pitches per plate appearance:

4.13 – Pedro .Alvarez
4.12 – J.J. Hardy
4.11 – Chris Davis
4.01 – Hyun Soo Kim

Smith saw 4.22 pitches per plate appearance last season.