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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Brew Crew reportedly wins negotiating rights for Aoki

Hardly seems fair that large market teams like the Brewers can just replace their MVP left-fielder with a three-time batting champ.

The Brewers reportedly submitted a winning $2.5 million bid to negotiate with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion with the Yakult Swallows.

According to a tweet by Yasuko Yanagita of Hochi Shimbun, the Swallows announced that they accepted the Brewers’ bid for Aoki. The Brewers now have negotiating rights for Aoki for the next 30 days….

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitter slipped to a .292 average and four homers in 2011, after going for career highs of a .358 average and 209 hits in 2010. He was the 2005 Central League Rookie of the Year, batting .344 in his first full season.

Aoki will turn 30 on Jan. 5, and could join a Brewers outfield that includes Ryan Bruan, Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 18, 2011 at 03:58 AM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: brewers, japan

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1. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: December 18, 2011 at 04:44 AM (#4018768)

So he'll be traded in June? Or is he a 5th OF?

2. vortex of dissipation Posted: December 18, 2011 at 08:38 AM (#4018819)

The guy has a lifetime average of .329 in over 4,000 PA in NPB. He probably won't hit that high here, but he's far more than a fifth outfielder.

3. MattAtBat Posted: December 18, 2011 at 10:26 AM (#4018828)

I saw Aoki play last year. He struck me as someone that could put up a decent OBP but he didn't have much punch in his swing.

I didn't get a good impression of his defense. He has gotten mixed reviews. If he has the arm to stick in center, then he could be a second division starter. If his arm won't play in center, I don't think he'll hit enough to be an everyday corner outfielder.

I'd put Aoki's ceiling as a decent center fielder. More likely, he is a 4th outfielder that won't embarrass the Brewers in selective playing time. But then, I don't know anything about scouting, so he'll probably be the second coming of Ichiro.

4. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 18, 2011 at 11:40 AM (#4018831)

That's a change from the Mark Kotsays of the world

5. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: December 18, 2011 at 06:02 PM (#4018908)

The guy has a lifetime average of .329 in over 4,000 PA in NPB. He probably won't hit that high here, but he's far more than a fifth outfielder.

You think he's better than a 5th OF generically or that he's better than one of the Brewers' other 4 OF?

6. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 18, 2011 at 06:07 PM (#4018912)

He would be an expensive fourth OF. He already costs $2.5 mill and they haven't even paid him yet.

7. TVerik Posted: December 18, 2011 at 06:55 PM (#4018933)

I saw Aoki play last year. He struck me as someone that could put up a decent OBP but he didn't have much punch in his swing.

I didn't get a good impression of his defense. He has gotten mixed reviews. If he has the arm to stick in center, then he could be a second division starter. If his arm won't play in center, I don't think he'll hit enough to be an everyday corner outfielder.

I'd put Aoki's ceiling as a decent center fielder. More likely, he is a 4th outfielder that won't embarrass the Brewers in selective playing time.

Thanks for the scouting report. But I swear that I heard very similar things before Ichiro! played a major-league inning.

8. The Gurus DO NOT BourbonSamurai Posted: December 18, 2011 at 07:02 PM (#4018938)

Huh. a little surprised the Nats didn't bid on him.

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Brew Crew reportedly wins negotiating rights for Aoki

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