Latest SF Giants addition is likely only a stop-gap option at first base

The SF Giants shook up the roster earlier this week, adding Dominic Smith on a major league deal. The veteran bat can help the Giants' lineup, but he will likely only be a stop-gap option at first base for a few reasons.

Latest SF Giants addition is likely only a stop-gap option at first base

Smith is taking over for LaMonte Wade Jr., who was designated for assignment earlier this week. Wade Jr. struggled to a .546 OPS in 169 plate appearances before the Giants made the move. He saw the bulk of the time at first base, which is a bat-first position.

The Giants' lineup went 16 straight games without scoring more than four runs. That type of prolonged slump resulted in the front office looking for ways to jumpstart the offense.

Smith's short-term goal with the club is fairly reachable. Giants first basemen have posted a .568 OPS this season, which was the third-worst mark at that position. As long as Smith's production is an upgrade from that, he will have checked off that box. The veteran bat has a .717 career OPS across nine seasons. That Giants would happily take that level of production considering how that position slumped through the first two months of the year.

However, first base is one of the few positions they can realistically upgrade this year. The pitching staff has been excellent, and it will not take much offense from the lineup to be in the playoff picture at the end of the year.

That said, the lineup is light on high-impact bats outside of Heliot Ramos. While the lineup is much improved with Smith, adding a player like Rhys Hoskins of the Milwaukee Brewers or Ryan O'Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles would notably change the dynamic and give the club another middle-of-the-order hitter.

Of course, the Giants also just moved Bryce Eldridge up to Triple-A earlier this week. The front office has been patient with prospect promotions this year and will likely stay that way. Of course, performance dictates the next steps. If Eldridge is hitting well in Triple-A, it will force the issue.

The Giants do not want to be in a position where their top power-hitting prospect is being asked to save the offense. They are likely hoping that Dominic Smith can help stave off that conversation and allow Eldridge to continue developing in the minors.

If Smith hits well, he will see plenty of at-bats at a position that has been a soft spot in 2025. The Giants may reach a point in July where they need more offense and look to upgrade from Smith. He might be a short-term fit if the lineup continues to struggle, as the Giants could look to bolster that position at the trade deadline or through the minors.