Drew Freaking Smyly?

So Nick Pivetta wasn't happy with his demotion to the bullpen. But he got that demotion the old-fashioned way–he earned it. In his last 3 starts, he's pitched a total of 13 innings and allowed 10 runs.

And the Phillies are replacing him in the rotation with the deepest of dumpster dives, Drew Smyly. He'll fit right in. Smyly has been released by 2 teams already this season, and has an ERA of 8.42. Oof. Smyly has allowed 64 hits and 34 walks in 51 innings. That's almost 2 baserunners per inning. Double oof. Hey, but at least he's left-handed.

I know this a low-risk move, but there has to be somebody, anybody better than this guy out there someplace. One of the minor league guys like Cole Irvin or Enyel De Los Santos. Or Guy Smiley (pictured above) from Sesame Street. Maybe they think pitching coach Chris Young can fix Smyly. Given the "success" of the Phillies pitching staff this season, I wouldn't count on it.

Smyly used to be an OK pitcher. But he had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the 2016 and 2017 seasons while recovering. And his numbers this season show he's still finding his way.

This signing speaks volumes about how badly the front office misjudged the pitching talent in the organization. Pivetta and Vince Velasquez have been fair to awful this season. Maybe signing Smyly will work out. Maybe GM Matt Klentak knows more than everybody else. But the numbers say otherwise.