Boston Red Sox Carson Smith: Deep Waiver Wire Add
By Brad Kelly
Carson Smith was one of the Boston Red Sox most prized acquisitions this offseason, but an injury in spring training delayed his debut. Now that he has rejoined the team, should fantasy owners in deeper leagues give him a look?
The Boston Red Sox are off to a solid this season and currently reside atop the A.L. East. The most impressive part about it though, has been their ability to do it without all their weapons intact. One of the biggest pieces that has been missing, is stud reliever Carson Smith.
Smith came over in the Wade Miley deal with the Mariners this offseason, and it was easily one of the best moves made by any team. Smith was drafted in 2011 out of Texas State University in the 8th round. He came on late in his college career, but with 6’6 frame and three-quarters delivery, his stuff has nearly become unhittable. He made his MLB debut in 2014, but he really made a name for himself last season. He posted a, 2.31 ERA/13 SV/92 K/ 11.8 SO9 line in 2015, which made him easily the Mariners best bullpen asset. The Red Sox brought him in to help form a formidable bridge to Craig Kimbrel, and now that Smith his healthy, the backend of the BoSox bullpen is one best in the game.
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Kimbrel has been good as advertised, and Koji Uhera has been solid, leaving Smith the ability to offer fantasy owners K, ERA, and Holds help. It would more than likely take injuries to both Koji and Kimbrel for him to get SV opportunities, but that does not mean he lacks value. Smith’s has one the deadliest arsenals in the game highlighted by a mid-90s sinker and a devastating slider. His strikeout output places him amongst the elite relievers in the game, and that is where fantasy owners can find extreme value.
For those in Holds league, Smith is must add, and for those in deeper leagues, he serves a great upside gamble that can be slotted in a RP or P spot and provide ample value. He did miss the beginning of the year with a forearm strain, but the Red Sox were so careful with his recovery, that fantasy owners can have faith he is ready to fire on all cylinders. Make the move.