Angels Finally Close the Book on Lee Smith

The Angels solved their problem about what to do about the Lee Smith situation Monday by sending him to the Cincinnati Reds for left-hander Chuck McElroy.

Also involved was the Angels agreeing to pay the difference between Smith’s $2.1 million salary and McElroy’s $817,000.

Smith, 38, the alltime major league saves leader with 471, had groused about being removed from the Angel closer spot in favor of Troy Percival and said he would rather be traded than be a set-up man.

The Angels acceded to his wishes to be dealt, but Cincinnati Manager Ray Knight and Smith may have differing ideas about Smith’s use.

“I’m not going to promise him that he’s closing,” Knight said. “I respect and trust Jeff Brantley too much. He’s my closer. We’ll go with Brantley when he’s fresh and have Smith to complement him. There’s no reason both of them can’t get saves.”

Knight expects Smith to be content with that role.

“If I communicate right up front from the very beginning what it is, he’ll accept it,” Knight said.

The Reds will be Smith’s seventh major league team.

Brantley, who has a 2.92 earned-run average and 11 saves in 13 chances, wants to keep his job.

“I am concerned, but they’ve told me I’ll be the closer,” Brantley said. “I talked to Ray and assured me and made me feel secure. I’m apprehensive, but I’m a survivor.”

Smith was en route to Miami, where he will join the Reds today, and was unavailable for comment. He had no saves with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings this season with the Angels.

“Lee Smith has been a great closer in his time,” Brantley said, “and I think he can help our ballclub.”

Smith was placed on the 15-day disabled list in April after offseason surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right knee, injured when he slipped during a hunting trip.

In Smith’s absence, Percival was nearly flawless as the Angels’ closer, with 13 saves and a 1.74 ERA in 19 games.

“I think when the whole thing happened, you had two guys down there who were forced into one role,” Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “I don’t think [Smith] forced the trade. I just think the situation dictated that something had to be done. I hope he goes to Cincinnati and does what they hope he’ll do and help them win their division.”

McElroy had a 2-0 record and a 6.57 ERA in 12 1/3 innings.

“I got traded for the all-time saves leader,” said McElroy, 28. “That’s pretty exciting.”

Lachemann plans on using McElroy late in games.

“He’s got a very good arm and he’s had some pretty good years,” Lachemann said. “Maybe his last year or two have not been as good as they were before, but he still has a good arm and we expect him to be a big plus for us.”

Smith, a seven-time All-Star, also has pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Boston, St. Louis, the New York Yankees and Baltimore. He has a record of 68-87, 1,201 strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA.

“Lee’s experience and presence can only be a tremendous plus,” Knight said.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Numbers

The lifetime statistics of the relief pitchers involved in Monday’s trade between the Angels and the Cincinnati Reds:

Lee Smith

*--*

Yr, Tm G W-L Sv SO ERA ‘80, ChC 18 2-0 0 17 2.86 ‘81, ChC 40 3-6 1 50 3.49 ‘82, ChC 72 2-5 17 99 2.69 ‘83, ChC 66 4-10 29 91 1.65 ‘84, ChC 69 9-7 33 86 3.65 ‘85, ChC 65 7-4 33 112 3.04 ‘86, ChC 66 9-9 31 93 3.09 ‘87, ChC 62 4-10 36 96 3.12 ‘88, Bos 64 4-5 29 96 2.80 ‘89, Bos 64 6-1 25 96 3.57 ‘90, Bos 11 2-1 4 17 1.88 ‘90, StL 53 3-4 27 70 2.10 ‘91, StL 67 6-3 47 67 2.34 ‘92, StL 70 4-9 43 60 3.12 ‘93, StL 55 2-4 43 49 4.50 ‘93, NYY 8 0-0 3 11 0.00 ‘94, Bal 41 1-4 33 42 3.28 ‘95, Cal 52 0-5 37 43 3.47 ‘96, Cal 11 0-0 0 6 2.45 Ttl 954 68-87 471 1201 2.94

*--*

Chuck McElroy

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Yr, Tm G W-L Sv SO ERA ‘89, Phi 11 0-0 0 8 2.86 ‘90, Phi 57 0-1 0 16 3.49 ‘91, ChC 71 6-2 3 92 2.69 ‘92, ChC 72 4-7 6 83 1.65 ‘93, CHC 49 2-2 0 31 3.65 ‘94, Cin 52 1-2 5 38 3.04 ‘95, Cin 44 3-4 0 27 3.09 ‘96, Cin 12 2-0 0 13 6.57 Ttl 327 18-18 14 308 3.53

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