In his first full season in the majors last year, the 26-year-old Smith had a 2.31 ERA in 70 games, allowing 49 hits in 70 innings with 22 walks and 92 strikeouts. The Red Sox then watched as he struggled in the first half to the tune of a 4.80 ERA and watched opposing hitters knock him around at a.270/.335/.422 clip.
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Aro appeared in six games with the Red Sox in 2015, striking out eight in 10.1 innings. He could be in competition for eighth or ninth inning duties for the Red Sox now.
Seattle picked up veteran left-hander Wade Miley and young right-handed reliever Jonathan Aro from Boston, while sending left-hander Roenis Elias and promising reliever Carson Smith to the Red Sox. He tossed 70 innings, logged 13 saves, and is under team control for another five years.
So what are they getting in return? Uehera will be 42 in 2017, and could very well retire after this season. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, that includes trading away many players who started for the team last season and signing several free agents to fill holes on the roster.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report, who noted that the spacious confines of Safeco Field better fit a pitcher like Miley, also added that the deal could free up enough money for the Red Sox to potentially pursue another pricey pitcher during free agency. They had a surplus of starters at a time when the cost of starting pitching is about as high as can be imagined.
A competitive market for Miley could drive up what Boston can get for him in a trade, so a move makes sense from their side too.
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Smith is secured through 2020, making the deal even sweeter for Boston.
