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.
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1. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: December 18, 2011 at 03:44 AM (#4018768)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.
You think he's better than a 5th OF generically or that he's better than one of the Brewers' other 4 OF?
Thanks for the scouting report. But I swear that I heard very similar things before Ichiro! played a major-league inning.
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