The Toronto Blue Jays have moved left-handed and soon-to-be free agent SP Francisco Liriano to the Houston Astros.
In their first move at the 2017 trade deadline the Toronto Blue Jays have moved soon-to-be free agent pitcher, Francisco Liriano. Though it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, the fact he was moved the Houston Astros adds a little intrigue as they were not mentioned as a team deemed with interest in the lefty.
Liriano was a great addition to the Blue Jays last year at the deadline putting up a 2.92 ERA over 10 games, while posting a very respectable 9.5 K/9 and WHIP of 1.176. Both were drastic improvements over the start to his season in Pittsburgh. The 2017 season, however, was less kind to the lefty as he battled a series of injuries (shoulder inflammation, sore neck) that cause him to spend some time on the disabled list.
| Year | Tm | W | L | W-L% | ERA | G | GS | IP | R | ER | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP | H9 | HR9 | BB9 | SO9 | SO/W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | TOR | 2 | 2 | .500 | 2.92 | 10 | 8 | 49.1 | 22 | 16 | 147 | 3.98 | 1.176 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 9.5 | 3.25 |
| 2017 | TOR | 6 | 5 | .545 | 5.88 | 18 | 18 | 82.2 | 57 | 54 | 78 | 4.72 | 1.621 | 9.9 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 8.1 | 1.72 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Liriano struggled for the majority of the 2017 posting a bWAR of 0.0, 4.7 BB/9, and a 5.88 ERA over 18 starts. When considering his free agency status along with his $13.67 MM contract it made sense for the club to cut its ties when the they had the ability to do so.
This also leaves a hole in the Blue Jays starting rotation that will have be filled in the neat future. Candidates to replace Liriano look to be on the roster right now with Mike Bolsinger and Joe Biagini should they choose. Other options also include calling up a series of pitchers from the minor leagues to have them audition for the 2018 season. If this were the case look for the name Chris Rowley to make an appearance on the major league roster. The 26-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.48 ERA over ten games as a starter for both New Hampshire and Buffalo this season.
THE RETURN:
In return for the lefty veteran, the Blue Jays have a received OF Norichika Aoki from the Astros along with a minor league player to be named later. Aoki is a 35-year-old outfielder who is widely known as being a solid on-base guy who has some speed to add to a lineup. The Japanese native is currently playing under a $5.5 MM contract and is arbitration eligible for the 2018 season should Toronto look to retain his services going into next season.
| Year | Tm | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | MIL | 151 | 588 | 520 | 81 | 150 | 37 | 4 | 10 | 50 | 30 | 43 | 55 | .288 | .355 | .433 | .787 | 109 |
| 2013 | MIL | 155 | 674 | 597 | 80 | 171 | 20 | 3 | 8 | 37 | 20 | 55 | 40 | .286 | .356 | .370 | .726 | 100 |
| 2014 | KCR | 132 | 549 | 491 | 63 | 140 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 43 | 17 | 43 | 49 | .285 | .349 | .360 | .710 | 99 |
| 2015 | SFG | 93 | 392 | 355 | 42 | 102 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 14 | 30 | 25 | .287 | .353 | .380 | .733 | 103 |
| 2016 | SEA | 118 | 467 | 417 | 63 | 118 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 28 | 7 | 34 | 45 | .283 | .349 | .388 | .738 | 104 |
| 2017 | HOU | 71 | 224 | 202 | 28 | 55 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 5 | 15 | 29 | .272 | .323 | .371 | .694 | 94 |
| 6 Yr | 6 Yr | 720 | 2894 | 2582 | 357 | 736 | 127 | 21 | 30 | 203 | 93 | 220 | 243 | .285 | .350 | .385 | .736 | 102 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
The realistic outook for Aoki, considering his age, is he is either flipped in other move or finishes the season with Toronto only to be non-tendered during the off-season. With him due a raise in arbitration the latter seems most likely scenario.
Minor-leaguer #BlueJays getting from #Astros is OF Teoscar Hernandez, per source
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2017
According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi the MiLB player addition in the deal is OF Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez is currently playing in AAA and has 41 games of major league experience under his belt from 2016. In 2017, the 24-year-old Dominican native has slashed .279/.369/.485 with 12 HR, 20 2B and 44 RBI over 79 games for Houston’s affiliate in Fresno, and is listed as their #9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
TIMELINE:
Sources: #Astros talking to #BlueJays about Liriano. HOU also working on other things. Likely would use Liriano as reliever if deal happens.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
#BlueJays and #Astros deal for Francisco Liriano is pending a physical. Sounds like an outfielder in coming back in return
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2017
Source: Astros are sending OF Nori Aoki and a Minor League player to the Blue Jays.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 31, 2017
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Wade is a long time baseball fan who has been involved with the game for over 30 years. Including as a former college player, amateur pitching coach, and blogger.
