Brewers sign Japanese OF Aoki
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-brewers-aoki
MILWAUKEE (AP)—The Milwaukee Brewers looked overseas to add some depth to
their outfield Tuesday, signing Japanese star Norichika Aoki to a two-year
deal with a club option for 2014.
The 30-year-old Aoki hit over .300 in six of his seven full seasons and was a
three-time batting champion in Japan’s Central League. He was the league’s
2005 rookie of the year and is a six-time golden glove award winner.
“He wanted to come over here and play,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin
said. “I don’t think he had as many challenges left over there as he saw
over here. So he’s coming over here, and he’s going to give it his best
shot to try and get as much playing time as he can.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Melvin said it contains a
“fair amount” of incentives.
Aoki’s team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, accepted the Brewers’ bid of $2.5
million under the posting system in December. The Brewers had until 4 p.m. CT
Tuesday to complete a deal.
Had the team not signed Aoki, he would have returned to Japan and the Brewers
would have received their bid money back.
Although the deal wasn’t announced until after the deadline, Melvin said
there wasn’t too much last-minute drama.
“At the start of the day, we had a pretty good understanding that there was
a chance this is going to happen,” Melvin said.
Outfield depth could be critical for the Brewers, given that they may be
without NL MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games of next season if he loses
his appeal for testing positive for a banned substance.
“He will be given an opportunity, but I really don’t want to address that
until we know more about Ryan’s situation,” Melvin said.
The Brewers are optimistic Aoki’s success in Japan will translate to the
U.S., but acknowledge they won’t really know until they see him play.
没有意外的话, 酿酒人与青木宣亲即将达成2年的合约.
青木目前30岁, 在日职的7个球季中, 有6个球季打击率3成以上, 3次央联打击王, 2005年
新人王, 获得6次金手套奖.
外野的补强对于酿酒人来说相当重要, 尤其是Ryan Braun的案情尚未明朗的时候 (有可能
被禁赛50场)