Smith, 27, had been rumored to be on the block in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline with the Brewers in the midst of a rebuild and looking to turn bullpen pieces into future assets.
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The Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of the brisk trade market for relievers Monday by sending left-hander Will Smith to San Francisco for the Giants’ top pitching prospect and a catcher who could be useful if Jonathan Lucroy also is traded.
The Giants also received catcher Andrew Susac, who has bounced up and down between the bigs and Triple-A the last couple years and can easily step into an Major League Baseball role right away. Smith tore a ligament in his right knee tying his cleats in spring training this year and started the season on the disabled list.
Bickford has played at two different Class A levels this season and is 5-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 17 games, with 105 strikeouts in 93 innings.
Smith is arbitration-eligible and can not become a free agent until after the 2019 season.
Susac, 26, is a.240 hitter across parts of the last two seasons.
Bickford is the more surprising inclusion in the trade. Sports was first to report Smith was going to Milwaukee. Last season for the Brewers, he had a 2.70 ERA in 76 appearances.
The San Francisco Giants have added some relief pitching, as Will Smith is headed over from the Brewers (Jeff Passan reports).
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SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 10: Phil Bickford of the U.S. Team pitches during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at PETCO Park on July 10, 2016 in San Diego, California.
