Since Eric Hinske was traded yesterday to the Boston Red Sox, there have been numerous articles and discussions that the Blue Jays are throwing in the towel. I am a little confused by this.

The majority of playing time Hinske had this season with the Jays, has been in the outfield, 30 games in right field and once in left. He was the fifth best overall outfielder on the team (Hinske, I think is better defensively than Frank Catalanotto, but not a better hitter).

Greg Zaun or Benji Molina, depending on who is catching that night, has seen time at DH. Catalanotto is hitting over .300 and has been seeing sometime at DH, due to the great play of Reed Johnson in left field. Hinske, has only DH'd 19 times this season, and is not that valuable to the Blue Jays at DH. Shea Hillenbrand was mainly used as DH before he was traded last month.

The only position where Hinske has any value on the current Jays roster is a backup corner infielder. With Troy Glaus’s ailing knee, Hinske might have seen some playing time at third before the season is done. But Glaus has come out and said that he will play through the pain. Overbay has been healthy all season and has been swinging the bat well, so there isn’t much chance of meaningful playing time at first for Hinske. Hinske had played 10 games at third and 4 games at first.

So, according to many people, by trading the teams’ fifth outfielder, third best DH and backup corner infielder, who will make over $5 million next season ($1.1 million for the remaining month and a half this season), the Blue Jays are giving up on season. Sure they didn’t improve the current team, but did Boston really improve their team? The money they saved will potentially result in the signing of another starter for next season or locking up Vernon Wells long term. The trade seems like a smart move to me.