Norichika Aoki Traded to Royals

Norichika Aoki was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Kansas City Royals on December 5, 2013. In exchange the Brewers received Will Smith.

Aoki is an outfielder with two seasons MLB experience playing with the Brewers. In 2013 he hit .286/.356/.370 with 8 HR, 37 RBI, 80 R, 20 SB in 155 games. For his MLB career he has hit .287/.355/.399 with 18 HR, 87 RBI, 161 R, 50 SB in 306 games. His contract was purchased by the Brewers in 2012 after seven years playing in Japan with the Yakult Swallows. Aoki will be 32 on January 5th.

LHP Smith has two seasons MLB experience pitching with the Royals. He split 2013 between Triple A Omaha and the Royals. He was 6-4, 3.03 ERA, 100 K, 1.18 WHIP, 4 SV in 89.0 IP over 28 games at Omaha and was 2-1, 3.24 ERA, 43 K, 0.93 WHIP in 33.1 IP over 19 games with the Royals. For his MLB career he is 8-10, 4.76 ERA, 102 K, 1.42 WHIP in 123.0 IP over 35 games. He was originally drafted by the Angels in the seventh round in 2008. Smith turned 24 on July 10.