 For 1996 , the Angels replaced Smith in the closer role with second @-@ year pitcher Troy Percival . After only eight games as a setup pitcher , Smith , who was unhappy in California , was traded to Cincinnati for Chuck McElroy on May 27 . He resumed setup duty for the Reds — this time for Jeff Brantley , who was in the midst of his best season — but did not fare as well in his return to the National League . His ERA was nearly as high as the league average , his strikeout rate was the lowest in 15 years , and the Reds granted him free agency after the season . 
