The Blue Jays made a pair of deals on Monday’s trade deadline, sending Joe Smith to Cleveland, and Francisco Liriano to the Houston Astros. The latter deal netted them two players, a solid MiLB addition in Teoscar Hernandez, and 35 year old veteran Nori Aoki.
Many folks have debated Aoki’s worth to this team, and it is debatable to be certain. He is making 5.5 million this season, so many believe the reason he was included in the trade was to offset some of Liriano’s salary going the other way.