Is newest SF Giants addition really an upgrade over LaMonte Wade Jr.?

The SF Giants had a big roster shakeup today as they made a flurry of roster moves in an effort to get things going on offense. The biggest change is at first base as the Giants cut ties with LaMonte Wade Jr. while adding first baseman Dominic Smith.

It was clear that Wade's time with the Giants was likely coming to an end unless he turned things around quickly at the plate. His slash line of .167/.275/.271 was simply indefensible and a change was in order. Does Smith represent a huge upgrade, though?

Will Dominic Smith really be an upgrade for SF Giants over Wade?

At first glance, Smith's profile is not too dissimilar from Wade's. Both are left-handed hitting and throwing first basemen and corner outfielders who do not bring much to the table defensively but have a little bit of pop in their bats when they are right. Smith has 64 career home runs compared to Wade's 54.

Wade has a higher career on base percentage of .344 compared to Smith's .313. When Wade was right, he had one of the best eyes in baseball as evidenced by his OBP of .380 last season. However, he just struggled to get on base in any way, shape, or form in 2025 which is why the Giants moved on from him.

It really seems like Wade's power completely abandoned him this year though. There was a decline in his power last year as he only hit eight homers in 117 games and only hit one home run this season before he was DFA'd.

Smith at least seems to be a greater threat to hit the ball out of the ballpark. Last season in 93 games he hit six homers and in 45 games this year with the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, he hit eight home runs.

It would be highly unlikely if Smith were to be a major boon to San Francisco's offense. However, at the very least he represents something different at first base for the Giants. If he can at least hit over .200 and can hit the ball out of the ballpark every now and then he will represent an upgrade over Wade which is not saying much but could still be beneficial. It had really reached the point where almost anyone would have been an upgrade over Wade.

This is not a swap that is going to get Giants fans creating their own Dominic Smith jerseys, but it is at least an attempt by the front office to get some sort of production at first base while top prospect Bryce Eldridge continues his rise through the minor leagues.