MLB trade deadline: Will Smith to Milwaukee Brewers trade hypothetical

In the days leading up to this year’s MLB trade deadline, Around the Foghorn site expert Joel Reuter will be building hypothetical trade packages for the San Francisco Giants based on the latest rumblings from the rumor mill.

The San Francisco Giants recent surge could change the way they approach the trade deadline, but not in the sense that they will suddenly become buyers.

Rather, it seems more likely they will push to add controllable, MLB-ready talent that can help the roster now and in the future, while still maximizing their top trade chips.

With free agency looming and a big payday on the horizon, closer Will Smith is still a prime candidate to be dealt, especially considering the team’s overall bullpen depth.

The Milwaukee Brewers are one team showing interest in the All-Star left-hander in the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline:

So what could the Brewers reasonably offer in return?

In the above article, Murray offered up the following:

“In trade talks, the Giants have identified shortstop Mauricio Dubon as a player of interest, sources say. It is highly unlikely the Brewers will part with prized second-base prospect Keston Hiura. And with Hiura and Orlando Arcia seemingly implanted long-term in the Brewers middle infield, that makes Dubon expendable.”

Dubon, 24, is hitting .305/.341/.479 with 19 doubles and 14 home runs in 382 plate appearances at Triple-A, so he would be able to step into a role at the MLB level immediately.

With second baseman Joe Panik headed for free agency after the 2020 season and turning in a brutal season at the plate with a 69 OPS+, the team could view Dubon as a replacement and consider non-tendering Panik during the offseason.

It will likely take more than the MLB-ready middle infielder to get a deal done, though.

Consider the following MLB trade deadline proposal:

To Milwaukee: LHP Will Smith

To San Francisco: 2B/SS Mauricio Dubon, OF Trent Grisham, RHP Drew Rasmussen

We’ve already touched on what Dubon brings to the table, so let’s dive into the other two.

Outfielder Trent Grisham is another player on the cusp of the big leagues, and he has taken a major step forward in his development this season.

The 22-year-old was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 draft and he was once viewed as a leaguewide top 100 prospect.

He scuffled offensively in the lower levels of the minors and was still struggling last year when he hit .233/.356/.337 with just 19 extra-base hits in 405 plate appearances.

One thing he’s always shown is the ability to work a walk, and this season he has nearly as many walks (56) as strikeouts (65).

However, he’s now producing across the board, hitting .276/.382/.552 with 18 doubles and 22 home runs in 386 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.

He’s played primarily left field, but he’s capable of manning all three outfield spots.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen was taken with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays but went unsigned after some issues popped up on his post-draft MRI. He ended up undergoing the second Tommy John surgery of his career shortly thereafter and missed his entire junior season as a result.

Despite that, the Brewers saw enough potential to take him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, and he made his pro debut this season.

The 23-year-old is once again showing power stuff with a 70-grade fastball and plus slider, racking up 64 strikeouts in 50.1 innings with a 3.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over three minor league levels.

If he can further develop his changeup and stay healthy, the upside is still there for him to develop into a quality starter and deliver on his first-round pedigree. Otherwise, he has the power two-pitch mix to move quickly in a relief role.

There’s no marquee prospect in that hypothetical MLB trade deadline deal, but it is three players capable of helping the Giants in the near-term, including an immediate alternative to struggling second baseman Joe Panik.

A fair MLB trade deadline deal for All-Star closer Will Smith?

Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter.