Who saw this coming? Not me.
Nori Aoki to sign with Giants.
I did not realize Aoki was a free agent. One year deal at $4M, with an option for 2016 ($0.7M) and performance bonuses, potentially two years and $12.5M (max).
Low cost, low risk, versatile player with a good glove. .287/.353/.387 lifetime (1811 PA).
Gregor Blanco II!
I like it.
--M.C.
11 comments:
Pagan insurance?
I had read about this for some time, always speculatively. I actually like that, when the Giants do something, it is not all over the news for weeks beforehand. Of course, some things can't be secreted, like the bidders for Jon Lester. But Mr. Sabean plays his cards close to the vest. Aoki was probably one of the better outfielder free agents remaining, although definitely on the downside of a (decent) career. Plus, he is Japanese. But, yeah, Pagan insurance.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the TROPHIES are in Siskiyou County tonight!!! College of the Siskiyous Gym in Weed from 5-7 pm. Hope to get some photos to post on the blog.
The upside:
- Never whiffs.
- Consistent BA & OBP.
- Good glove.
- Has done his best regular season work (BA & power) in September/October.
- Kind of cute.
- Increases geographic diversity.
The downside:
- Not a switch-hitter (I had been hoping for one). However, seems to pound left-handed pitching.
- After a good 'rookie' season, his extra-base hit totals (even 2B's) have been on a steady decline.
I SAW THE TRIPLETS! Many of us up in the north state had the distinct pleasure of our THIRD trophy viewing. It was marvelous! Look for photos and a new post real soon!
Re: Aoki
I like the move a lot. Aside from the obvious fact that it is a very good financial deal for the team (which I don't really care about) he makes the team better. You know me, I say f#ck dingers, give me OBP and defense. And depth, baby. This moves fits us well, it may not be sexy, but it is rock solid.
Doesn't this make Travis the odd man out? I bet Brandon Belt is not worrying about patrolling LF anymore too. BTW where does Aoki hit? Second, and Panik drops ?
Pagan, Aoki, Pence, Posey, McGehee, Belt, Panik, Crawford? Looks pretty good to me. The top six are all above average OBP guys.
Actually move Belt up to fifth. That spreads out a couple lefties and gets move power and speed toward the top. The top three can all steal about 20 if they play all year. I like taking the pressure off Panik too. Let him settle in and play great defense without worrying about being an integral cog in the offense. I'm liking the Aoki pick up more all the time. It just fits. We should have Japanese players, shouldn't we? This guys better than Shinjo. That was fun, remember ?
According to today's Chronic, he bats seventh, unless Pagan is out when he bats lead-off. But, as always with Bochy's lineups, these things are fluid.
A run is a run is a run. Whether you get those runs by dingers or singles doesn't really matter as long as you get them. And what matters most, as we have seen, is run prevention. The 2010 Giants hit some dingers. The 2012 version didn't, except in the post-season. The 2014 Giants were middle of the pack, and really didn't use the HR weapon in the playoffs (except for some notable ones that really mattered!). The Royals had no power and made the Series. So, what should we make of this? Pitch well, field well, score runs. That being said, I think the team will get some pop from Belt as well as Posey and Pence. Even BCraw hit 10 last year.
Take a look at this FanGraphs piece about the Giants.
The more I think about it, the more I like the deal, as Aoki could take over the leadoff duties for us, making Pagan our backup leadoff hitter, plus he's been good in run producing role in the past, as he was when he was with Mets, and early on, if I remember right, first season with us.
If he could turn into another Melky Cabrera for the giants that could work out. But another singles hitter, with a little speed, and an average fielder. Does not whiff much. Not a bad signing. Another lefty but one who can hit lefties. Where does that put Ishikawa? Not a bad signing, but we have not replaced the power of Morse or Pablo with McGehee or Aoki. The dinger is still worth more than the single.
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