The Giants acquired left-handed reliever Will Smith from the Brewers, tweets Yahoo’s Jeff Passan. The Brewers will receive minor league pitcher Phil Bickford and catcher Andrew Susac, tweets Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. The trade is now official, according to the Brewers.
Smith, 27, has a 3.68 ERA, 9.0 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.23 HR/9, and a 33.3% groundball rate in 22 innings for the Brewers this year. He dealt with a torn LCL in his knee in March, making his season debut on June 2nd after rehabbing the injury. Notably, the southpaw is exhibiting nearly a two-tick decline in his average fastball as against his prior numbers, and that remains a concern. The knee is an obvious question mark in that regard, though certainly it’s possible that Smith will just need to continue building back full body strength after the injury.
Health is always an important factor, but never more than when making an investment in a player that goes into the future. While San Francisco won’t be promising any future salary to Smith, they were buying into his control rights and paid to do so. He is under team control through 2019 as an arbitration eligible player. That contract status also conveys some real upside, especially if Smith can get back to his former trajectory. He was particularly tough in 2015, with a 2.70 ERA and 12.9 K/9.
The first-place Giants have received a middling 3.76 ERA from their relievers, and paid a trade deadline premium to acquire the controllable Smith. Drafted in the seventh round by the Angels in 2008, Smith was dealt to the Royals in the 2010 Alberto Callaspo trade. Later, after the 2013 campaign, the Brewers acquired him for Nori Aoki.
Now, Milwaukee has cashed in on the southpaw — in addition to moving late-inning righty Jeremy Jeffress in a separate trade. The haul seems to be rather promising, and swaps out the valuable-but-risky seasons remaining on Smith’s control rights for many more years of control on two solid young assets.
Bickford, 21, was drafted 18th overall by the Giants last year and is currently working at High-A. In their midseason prospect rankings, Baseball America had Bickford 50th overall, while MLB.com ranked him 65th. BA says Bickford’s fastball is known for its movement, and he throws a plus slider. The jury is out on whether he’ll wind up a reliever. Bickford had been drafted tenth overall by the Blue Jays in 2013, but did not sign.
Susac, 26, could take over as the Brewers’ starting catcher if Jonathan Lucroy is traded today. Since being drafted in the second round in 2011, Susac has been blocked by Buster Posey. He did get some Major League experience in 2014 and ’15, but has spent all of this year at Triple-A. He’s hitting .273/.343/.455 in 239 plate appearances at that level.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
citizen
brandon crawford in return?
gilgunderson
This offseason Crawford signed a six year extension with a full no-trade clause, so… no.
Ray Ray
Yeah THAT’S the reason Crawford wasn’t included.
pdubs2907
Hopefully the Crew got something decent for him.
MeowMeow
I guess no one will be telling him “Welcome to Miami” anytime soon after all
pdubs2907
Just tuuurrible
jthunder93
Yeah they will. Giants play in Miami next week.
Paul Molitor
Christian arroyo or Phil backfired in return?
Paul Molitor
**bickford
Ray Ray
Backfired seems appropriate. I think we have a new nickname proposal on board. It’s right up there with Sauce Castillo.
seamaholic 2
Decent pitcher. Probably a little overrated but I assume the Giants didn’t give up much.
Kapler's Coconut Oil
A) you assumed wrong B) why would you assume that in this market
seamaholic 2
Holy mother of …. you’re right.
I cannot believe the Giants just did that.
jeremy24tyler
I’m kinda bummed, I really liked Bickford ):
Danthemilwfan
Crawford? No thanks. Prospects. Crawford will be a fa when we are replace the again
pdubs2907
Love getting Bickford and Susac for Smith!
Danthemilwfan
Relevant
crazysull
The fact that they got Sussac leads me to think that Luccroy is close to being traded
mikeyst13
Also would make me think it’s not NYM or they wouldn’t need Susac with D’arnaud coming back.
Danthemilwfan
Their top prospect pitcher bickford and susak catcher
hamelin4mvp
That’s a great return for the Brewers.
Jatomatic34
A bit of an overpay for the Giants, but it is definitely in line with where the current market is
mrnatewalter
It certainly is an overpay, but as a Giants fan, I don’t mind it.
Smith isn’t a rental, he’s controlled through 2020.
Yes, Bickford is very, very good. I hate to see him go, but the Giants get a good lefty in the bullpen for the next several years, which is also good.
It’s really not as ridiculous as Giants fans will pretend.
pustule bosey
yeah if smith works out it will be a good thing since osich aint doing it and the pen is going to be dessimated in free agency shortly – though I am really sad to see bickford go I was really looking forward to him coming up in the next few years
baumer16
I’m a Brewers fan and though I love the trade for us I don’t look at is an overwhelming Brewers win. This is the market. Chicago gave up a top 25 prospect and then some for a half a season of Chapman. Though Smith isn’t Chapman he’s damn good and signed for peanuts for a long time.
mrnatewalter
Brewers got a very good return in this trade. But I’m not too upset about the Giants giving Bickford. They’ll find more arms. Tough to find cheap, controllable set-up guys right now.
gilgunderson
Yep, the Giants were pushed into a corner with Lopez and Osich’s struggles this year. And now when Lopez departs via free agency after this year, the Giants don’t have to hit the market to fill that need.
bleacherbum
Nice trade by the Brewers. Lucroy is going to be on the move soon, because Susac wasnt acquired to sit on the bench. Bickford looked really good in the Futures game a couple weeks ago. Solid pick-up.
pustule bosey
I like susac in the trade, with so much catching depth but from a sf perspective I would have rather seen beede or stratton go than bickford
Brixton
Brewers just fleeced
bleacherbum
Yup, they sure did. Love this move for them.
johnsilver
Some deadline deals seem made from desperation, this looks like one of them and a huge over pay.
This one, along with the LAD one on the rental of Hill/Reddick both get the prize thus far until the bell rings for then end of the period today.
firstbleed
Yes, love this trade from a Brewers’ perspective! Susac and Bickford are exactly want I was looking for from any SF package.
pdubs2907
I love it for the Crew too.
angelsinthetroutfield
Wonder if Susacs inclusion will open up a Lucroy trade without the need for a C in return.
mikeyst13
They never NEEDED a catcher in return. They have 2 guys (granted a bit of journeymen) raking at AAA and could have filled the gap with a free agent if needed until Nottingham is ready. Don’t plan to compete for a couple years anyway.
baumer16
They’re raking in Colorado Springs. That doesn’t really translate to other places
mikeyst13
It doesn’t directly translate, but it is still a good sign. And the point was that either Pina or Pinto along with Maldonado could gave them enough of a stop gap that they didn’t HAVE to get a catcher in return. Nice to get one with potential though.
philbosox
Very nice for the Brewers
ric7744
This seems like a big overpay. This would have been to much for Moore from the rays.
chophawk
Giants over paid, giving up Bickford, #1 prospect and Susac. Wow
Ray Ray
The number #1 prospect in a relatively weak farm system though. I think the Giants ranked somewhere around #25 overall.
tsteele28
But all of the accomplished ML in the Giants farm system weren’t ranked either. Panik’s ceiling at the beginning of the 2014 season was utility back up. Duffy didn’t even have a ML ceiling. Tomlinson. Really Crawford wasn’t touted. Williamson, although his story isn’t over yet. Brown was organizational depth. I never rule out the Giants. If the rankings say 25 I think 15. Cards too.
pustule bosey
arg a lot of other guys I would have rather seen go than bickford –
11Bravo
To all Giants fans: what’s the ceiling on Bickford? Read some reports where’s he may end up in the ‘pen. Nothing if he projects to be a frontline starter or mid rotation guy.
g55s
Drafted as a starter, but quickly rated as a hard throwing reliever. Big K guy.
ARodriguez
Overpaying a little but that’s the market, anyways Susac had struggled in the bigs and Bickford isn’t the first round prospect everyone thought. So….
Deke
Susac didn’t struggle in the bigs, in fact he played REALLY well for the Giants both when he was a part time guy and an everyday guy for a while. Susac also rates in the top 10 catchers in pitch framing (Posey and he are pretty close) in that he get’s more strikes called for pitchers than most other catchers.
I am sad to see him go but I hope it’s because they are moving Lucroy and the Brewers fans will get a chance to see what a good catcher he is and actually a pretty decent hitter, at one point SF was considering having him play other positions just to keep his bat in the lineup.
Good luck Andrew, you were a good Giant and we’ll miss you but hope this opens up opportunities you weren’t getting in SF!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Let’s be honest, Andrew Susac had NO future with the Giants.
Deke
Absolutely, he was purely a depth piece and deserves the chance to play every day. I think he’s better than a AAA catcher just no where for him in SF.
mrnatewalter
I don’t mind this deal for SF. The return for rental and/or expensive LH relievers (Miller and Chapman) was huge. This was to be expected.
Smith is neither expensive, nor a rental. Milwaukee wasn’t going to let him go for nothing.
While I think Bickford will be very good, he’s still a long ways away yet, and anything could happen (we can say that about any prospect). It’s not abnormal for SF to make this kind of a move, but I sure am glad it wasn’t for a rental.
cjsk49er
Way way way overpaid! Bickford is going to be a star and Susac has proven major league success. Unbelievable???!!!!
pustule bosey
susac makes tons of sense actually – brown has been serviceable and a bright spot at times and there is a lot of depth in the system – this will get him playing time. Bickford I am really sad to see go I was really hoping he would be untouchable
g55s
Scouting reports have him as a reliever, so no way he’s guaranteed to be a star.
mikeyst13
Most of those reports are also written before the season and barely updated. Has been great this year and starting to look more like he could stick in the rotation.
ARodriguez
Actually Bickfords velocity and command has been declining, the Giants and accounts in general are somewhat disappointed
stymeedone
Scouting reports on Chris Sale as a minor leaguer had him projecting as a reliever, too. It means little.
Francys01
I can not believe this, the word that I can used is incredible .Why Giants? I know that you want to win but the price is too high, Susac and Bickford.Without any doubt the Brewers obtained too much at least Jefress needed to be on the deal too to balance what the Brewers are getting back.I am sorry to say this, but the Giants were not wise in this trade.
pustule bosey
it is a bit of a desperation trade not just for this year but upcoming (smith is controllable through 2020)- you can expect to lose romo, lopez and cassilla this year most likely so the pen is only going to get more difficult without some replacements – the brewers took advantage of it
Pb
Absolutely atrocious trade by the Giants. Those two should have netted much more and have at least been a portion of a trade for a Rays starting pitcher. Wouldn’t care about losing the teams best young pitching prospect if you get a mid rotation starter that is controllable and will replace Peavy and Cain long-term. Not a reliever that is slightly above average. Furthermore, in my opinion, Cain and Peavy are a bigger problem than the bullpen.
gmenfan
Don’t mind losing Susac but was hoping Bickford would have been used to net more than Smith. Feels like a “meh” deal now, but who knows. Giants seem to strike gold with their reliever acquisitions.
gilgunderson
At least Smith is controllable for a few more seasons and not a rental. The Giants desperately needed a reliable lefty reliever and the Brewers seemed well aware of that fact. If it took that much to get Smith, I shudder to think what the Rays are asking for in return for Matt Moore.
jeremy24tyler
I know that SF needed a quality reliever, but i’m really bummed we had to give up Bickford. I’ve been keeping track of how he was doing since high school and I was so excited when the Giants drafted him in 2015.
User 2997803866
Bickford is a lot to give up, however, Will Smith is really underrated. Reminds me of Andrew Miller just before Miller really figured it out. Saying that Susac had success at the Major League level is a stretch. His prospect value is pretty low at this point, but I like his inclusion in the deal. The Brewers did very well in this deal, but the Giants get a piece that really can help them win now and in the foreseeable years to come. Remember folks, if you have a chance to win now, you almost have to go for it. Prospects are great, but they aren’t guarantees.
CubsFanFrank
That’s a pretty nice haul for a non threatening rapper turned sitcom star turned mega star.
Ray Ray
Turned annoying showbiz dad.
rivera42
Wow. Can’t believe the Giants actually did that. No brainer for Milwaukee.
bdini77
Yes, paid a steep price, but without looking at the head-to heads, this is directly aimed at LA’s left-handed lineup with Seager, Utley, Gonzalez, Pederson and now Reddick.
pustule bosey
I find it interesting that it says susac was blocked by posey, really he has been blocked by trevor brown for the backup position since being plagued by injury at the end of last/beginning of this season.
g55s
Fans way overrate prospects. Tim Alderson was Giants #2 prospect traded for Freddy Sanchez… he completely flamed out.
Gary Brown was a #1 pick and completely flamed out.
Will Smith is a proven major league reliever under team control and Giants are in Wn now mode.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Definitely an overpay. Andrew Susac had no future in San Francisco but the Giants have struggled to develop a homegrown ace ever since Bumgarner and Bickford was looking like their best shot at doing that. I’m surprised to see him go for a reliever.
Ray Ray
Do you realize how rare it is to develop an ace? And you are complaining that the Giants haven’t done it in a whole 6 years? #firstworldproblems
staypuft
Giants over payed for a washed up actor. His last good movie was what, I am Legend?
Ray Ray
I am Legend was NOT a good movie. Horrible movie that sets up one sensible ending and delivers a completely different one which made no sense whatsoever.
aff10
I understand that relief pitching was way overpriced in the market, but this may be the worst of all. Smith’s future team control is nice, but his strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, his 3.68 ERA is mediocre, and his peripherals suggest he’s fortunate to have below a 4.00. He had a fantastic season last year, but I think the real Smith is a guy around a 3.50 with about 10 K/9. Useful 7th inning guy sure, but not worth a potential No. 2 starter and starting-caliber catcher. (Of course, the Giants know Bickford better than anyone, and if they believe that he’s a reliever in the long run, this isn’t as bad, but probably an overpay regardless).
Ray Ray
You also have to factor in that moving from Miller Park to AT&T Park is probably going to improve his numbers immensely. Miller Park is one of the best parks for offenses in the league.
Cam
I should have learned to throw lefty as a kid, wow.
davidcoonce74
Does this end the forever career of Javier Lopez as a giant? I swear that guy has been a Loogy for SF for like 10 years.
Anyway, good return for the Brewers. Susac wasn’t going to get a chance behind the best catcher in baseball but it looks like he can play. Bickford might be great but TINSTAPP.
woodstock005
Mr Bobby Evans. Can you ask Jerry West for advise?
The trade are not working
Giants are still playing poorly