Matt Marton | 2020 Aug 15
The Giants hope there will be Smoak on the (McCovey Cove) water.
San Francisco signed first baseman Justin Smoak on Wednesday, adding the slugger to the pool if not the 28-man roster yet.
The 33-year-old switch-hitter is more insurance for first base and would be a power bat off the bench — he hits righties better than lefties — a role that Pablo Sandoval has struggled in.
Smoak had scuffled with the Brewers, batting .186 with five home runs in 33 games before being cut. He’s a year removed from knocking 22 homers with the Blue Jays, though, with whom he slashed .208/.342/.406.
The Giants did not add a bat at the trade deadline, but Farhan Zaidi admitted they searched for a lefty hitter. Their lineup is deeper with righties. Sandoval, also a switch-hitter, is better from the left side but has hit no one well this year. Although he’s improved since he couldn’t get going early, he’s batting .220 with one homer in 90 plate appearances.