MLB Trade: Giants & Tigers Swing Deal for Reliever

The San Francisco Giants have not had a great start to the 2026 season. Three straight losses to the New York Yankees, and they've already used all eight of their relievers, a few multiple times. Today, they've added some depth to the organizational relief corps, trading for 25-year-old right-hander Dylan Smith from the Detroit Tigers.

The Giants are trading for reliever Dylan Smith from the Tigers in exchange for cash considerations, per @ByRobertMurray
— SleeperSFGiants (@SleeperSFGiants) March 30, 2026

Smith had been designated for assignment before the start of the season last week. The Tigers get the old standby, "cash considerations" in return.

Smith had a nice little trial run in the Motor City last summer, getting into seven games out of the Detroit bullpen, pitching the 7th and 8th innings of a bunch of blowout games. Regardless of the game situations, he was still facing major league hitters, and he allowed just six hits and two earned runs in 13 innings for a 1.38 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. In Triple-A, he blew away the competition, with 22 strikeouts in 12 innings.

Smith was drafted in the third round in 2021 as a starter, but he converted to relief in ‘25 after a number of arm injuries. As noted by mlb.com, "Smith has been working to consolidate his arsenal, but he has intriguing stuff, including a sinker that has reached 96 mph, a four-seam fastball and a mid-80s slider."

He will start his Giants tenure at Triple-A Sacramento, but he could be a candidate to make his way up to the big club's bullpen at some point this season.

The Giants also traded outfielder Luis Matos to the Milwaukee Brewers after having DFA'd him last week.