The Red Sox have begun their quest for the postseason, as they made a move to bolster their bench by acquiring former All-Star Aaron Hill from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league pitcher Aaron Wilkerson and minor league infielder Wendell Rijo. The Red Sox also received cash in the deal.
The #RedSox today acquired INF Aaron Hill and cash from Milwaukee in exchange for 2 minor leaguers: RHP Aaron Wilkerson & INF Wendell Rijo.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 7, 2016
Hill brings 12 years of major league experience to the Red Sox, including seven years in the AL East with their rival Toronto Blue Jays. Hill spent this season with the Milwaukee Brewers after spending the past four and a half seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hill has hit .283 with eight home runs, 29 RBI and has an OPS of .780, his highest since 2013. Hill could platoon with Travis Shaw at third base, while Brock Holt continues to hold down left field for now.
To say Aaron Wilkerson has come a long way is an understatement. Wilkerson, 27, was a UDFA and played independent ball until he was 25 years old. The Red Sox gave him a shot, and he has exploded through their system, where he has a 4-2 record and a 2.44 ERA in nine games (eight starts) in Triple-A Pawtucket. Wilkerson may get a shot in the Brewers rotation in the near future.
Rijo was ranked No. 49 by soxprospects.com but was ranked No. 17 by MLB Pipeline. Rijo may end up being the prize of this deal. This year, at the age of 20, he reached Double-A before being sent down to High-A Salem, where in two seasons he has hit .261 with six home runs and 50 RBI in 119 games. In 51 games with Double-A Portland, he hit just .186 with one home run and 12 RBI. With Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts in Boston, and Yoan Moncada, Mauricio Dubon and Marco Hernandez in the system, Rijo was largely blocked.
The Red Sox will now likely turn their attention to pitching, both starting and relief, thanks to their massive struggles and depth issues. The rotation may need one or two additions, and the bullpen could use a presence to replace what they thought they would get in Carson Smith, who went down with Tommy John surgery.
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