Brewers Win Norichika Aoki Bid Rights
John Nestor
Milwaukee, WI
The Milwaukee Brewers will try to work out a deal with Norichika Aoki after it was reported Sunday the team won the right to negotiate a contract with the Japanese star outfielder.
The Brewers posted the highest bid -- $2.5 million that earned them a shot at the talented player.
On Saturday, the Yakult Swallows, Aoki's team, indicated it had accepted the Brewers' bid under the posting system.
Aoki, who turns 30 in January, is a three-time Central League batting champion. He is considered a pure hitter and has good defensive range, but reportedly has a weak throwing arm.
The NL Central champions Brewers already have a good depth in the outfield, with Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez.
However, Braun is facing a possible 50-game suspension after the NL MVP tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs this month.
Meanwhile, with Morgan and Gomez on the roster, the Brew Crew will have two capable players who will play the outfield position or share it during the 162-game season.
Hart, anchors Milwaukee's right field.
Aoki, who is a left-handed hitter, could serve as a bat off the bench. With the issue of his weak throwing arm, the seven-time NPB All-Star and Best Nine Award winner Aoki could be limited to left field in the Major Leagues.
Aoki, widely regarded as one of the most complete position players in Japan today, is also a six-time recipient of the Golden Glove Award.
Aoki, who spent all of his eight NPB seasons with Yakult, belongs to a special list comprising of only four players who have amassed 200 or more hits in a single season in Japanese professional baseball.
This season, he batted .292 with four home runs and 44 RBI in 144 games for Yakult.
His numbers registered in 2011 - - .292/.358/.360 is down from his career .336 (AVG), .401 (OBP) and .454 (SLG) in his first seven seasons.
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