Cubs get bullpen help, acquire RHP Joe Smith from Angels

Former Wright State Raiders pitcher Joe Smith was traded from the Anaheim Angels to the Chicago Cubs on Monday just before the trade deadline. He’s 1-4 this season with a 3.82 ERA for an Angels team that has been a disappointment following early season expectations.

Smith served as one of baseball’s most consistent setup men from 2011-14, throwing in at least 70 innings during each campaign and finishing all four of those seasons with ERAs south of 3.00.

Smith, a graduate of Amelia High School east of Cincinnati, saved 22 games and struck out 145 batters for Wright State between 2004-06.

As the seconds winded down on the 2016 trade season, the Los Angeles Angels, in need of a massive rebuild, managed to sacrifice reliever Joe Smith to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Jesus Castillo, a pitcher on the Cubs’ Low-A squad. Smith is in the final season of a three-year, $15.75 million contract, and has $1.8 million remaining on that contract.

Castillo, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old righty out of Venezuela. He’s got a 3.27 ERA and a 2-3 record.

In his career, Smith has limited foes to a.226 batting average and.306 on-base percentage while allowing only 0.60 home runs per nine innings, contributing to a.326 career slugging percentage against.