Kansas City Royals trade for Norichika Aoki from the Milwaukee Brewers
By David Miniel
The Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers have started the morning off right as they both agree on a trade that would send left handed pitcher Will Smith to Milwaukee for outfielder Norichika Aoki.
Brewers trade Norichika Aoki to Royals for Will Smith. This is the story all about how his life got flipped, turned upside down.
— hbohei ohtani (@jessespector) December 5, 2013
I love the Tweet.
This is a great pick up by the Kansas City Royals as they are looking to bulk up not only their outfield corps. but their lineup as well.
Aoki is a 31 year old left handed hitter who had a huge career in Japan before coming to the States. In his career in Japan, he hit a career .329, 1,284 hits, 84 home runs, 385 RBI’s and stole 164 bases in seven years.
He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for two years in January of 2012. In Aoki’s first full season with the Brewers, he hit .288/.355/.433 across the line with 10 home runs (one happened to be an inside the park home run), 50 RBI’s and 30 stolen bases.
Norichika has displayed some speed and decent power in his first two seasons as a Major League player. Now all they have to do is sign Carlos Beltran and they’ll be golden.
The Brewers will receive a lefty who was placed in the bullpen last year. He’s a 24 year old who they could use as a starter as he posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 43/7 K/BB ratio over 33 1/3 innings of work.
This a great trade that will work out great for both sides.