What can we expect with Aoki?

[KCBrewerfan34]

I went back a ways and didn't see any Aoki threads on the board. Feel free to move this but what is Aoki's contract/FA classification, are his rules different because he didn't go through the draft?

 

Also, can this guy start and play CF?

 

 

Thanks

[Patrick425]

I believe he has one more year with the Brewers at $1.25 million and then he's a FA. I would really love to see the Brewers extend him for another 2 or 3 year.

 

I think he played CF a few times this year, but I like him better in RF. He is a starter (will have over 500 ABs when the season ends)?

[JohnBriggs12]

He's signed next year for $1.25 million and Brewers have a no-brainer option for 2014 for $1.5 million. Talk about a bargain!

 

He's fine in RF. Brewers have Gomez and Schafer (who's looked really good) for CF. If you move Aoki to CF, you weaken 2 positions. Some have hinted at Gamel in RF, but why? This team leads the league in runs scored without Gamel. Barring a trade, there's no reason to feel you have to open a spot for him.

[Patrick425]

There is a team option for Aoki in 2014? If that's true, that's great! However, does not show that on this page:

 

http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewTeamSalary.do?teamId=1

[torts]

viewtopic.php?f=63&t=28977&start=40

 

3rd page, good convo about Aoki and his status. he'll be a FA if the brewers dont pick up his option and negotiate a contract with him after next season.

[Bombers]

Wow, I didn't know we had an option on him either. That is great news. His style of offense is a breath of fresh air. I always felt we had too many similar batters in our lineup. 20 hr guys, who have decent speed, strike out a lot, etc. Next years starting CF/RF should be Gomez / Aoki. With Schafer being the first guy of the bench.

[torts]

I just like that we have a real good leadoff batter again, one who isnt always swinging for the fence (weeks) or striking out a lot (weeks). its just nice to see that problem solved!

[JimH5]

He has been much better than I imagined.

 

Though I would still like the Brewers to have a better plan against lefties. Aoki's got a .688 OPS against them, which is tough to take at one of the corner spots.

 

Maybe shift Hart back to RF against LHP and put a different guy at 1B.

 

Not sure if that's Gamel or someone TBD.

[JohnBriggs12]

Aoki's skill set as a leadoff hitter is the closest thing they've had to Molitor since he left. Teams can't defend him. He fights off good pitches. He steals bases at an 80% clip. Need a bunt? Check. Need him to work a walk? Check. Need him to turn on one? Check. Batting 2 spots ahead of Braun is a lethal combination.

[brewmann04]

what a great move by DM ,should be up there for ROY

[pebadger]

Aoki is going to be a rock at the top of the order for at least two more seasons. I really like that guy and it seems like he's a good fit for this organization in more ways than just his spots in the order and on the field.

 

I think this team only started to realize what it had offensively after the midpoint of the season, and a lot of that was due to sheer dumb (bad?) luck. If Gamel doesn't get hurt, Hart never plays first and Aoki probably gets a lot less of a full look than he got. Lots of dominoes fall into place due to the Gamel and Gonzalez injuries and the actions taken in their wake.

 

The team is almost fully set in terms of everyday player roster for next season. Aoki will play every day in right. Hart every day at first. Gomez and Schafer platoon in CF. Segura will play almost every day at SS. They can decide on what to do in terms of utility infield and extra OF, but even that looks better now than when most of us were lamenting the loss of JHJ early in the season. Almost all the attention can be put into the pitching decisions that need to be made both in terms of starters and the pen.

[HiAndTight]

Aoki is going to be a rock at the top of the order for at least two more seasons. I really like that guy and it seems like he's a good fit for this organization in more ways than just his spots in the order and on the field.

 

I think this team only started to realize what it had offensively after the midpoint of the season, and a lot of that was due to sheer dumb (bad?) luck. If Gamel doesn't get hurt, Hart never plays first and Aoki probably gets a lot less of a full look than he got. Lots of dominoes fall into place due to the Gamel and Gonzalez injuries and the actions taken in their wake.

 

The team is almost fully set in terms of everyday player roster for next season. Aoki will play every day in right. Hart every day at first. Gomez and Schafer platoon in CF. Segura will play almost every day at SS. They can decide on what to do in terms of utility infield and extra OF, but even that looks better now than when most of us were lamenting the loss of JHJ early in the season. Almost all the attention can be put into the pitching decisions that need to be made both in terms of starters and the pen.

 

 

I hate that Gamel's shot in Milwaukee is probably just about done right now, or at the very least it's put on hold until 2013 and that would mean Hart isn't re-signed.

 

Then again, these things TEND to work themselves out. To go a full year without an injury to Braun, Hart or Aoki is far from a sure thing. I'm just really hoping we don't end up dumping him for next to nothing like the Twins did with Garrett Jones simply because he's blocked. I'd like to at least keep him on the bench for insurance.

 

 

But onto the real topic, Gamel getting hurt DID completely change this lineup, the defense, and changed the look of this team.

 

Hart's clearly a 1st basemen from here on out. That 6'6 frame can literally change games. Especially when compared to the 5'10 280 pound Prince(who's agility was pretty impressive...for his size). His ability to dig the ball coming in having no played 1st in years was amazing and should only improve. He's a very good hitter. Which AGAIN I'll admit to being wrong on him as every year I expect him to be the 2008 or 2009 type Hart and he keeps proving me wrong. And he's certainly endeared himself to Brewers fans with his declaration to Brewers fans and management that he wants to re-sign, and will take a hometown discount.

 

And as big of a difference as Hart made at 1st, Aoki made giving us a guy in right who can play CF, has a very good arm....extremely accurate and pretty strong. And has allowed us to keep Hart/Weeks out of the leadoff spot.

 

 

If Aoki was a 22 year old kid coming up and playing, he'd be getting a ton of play for ROY. As it stands, he'll likely be closer to Fiers than Harper/Miley.

[monty57]

I just like that we have a real good leadoff batter again

 

Agreed. I wonder if the late season success has changed Roenicke's mind. Last year and early this year he talked about how he liked having a power hitter leading off followed by a guy who can bunt. I much prefer how the lineup has been since Aoki took over the leadoff spot.

 

Although it stinks that it had to come at the expense of Gamel getting hurt, I am glad that Aoki got the chance to shine. I liked the signing when it happened, and I think that had Gamel not been injured, Aoki would've been used exclusively as Roenicke's "Right handed bat off the bench" (as he called him, because he felt he hit LHP well). Looking at his numbers vs LHP, that wouldn't have worked out too well, so good for him he got everyday PT.

[torts]

I liked the signing when it happened.

 

ME TOO!!! Thought, in my mind, he would be a stud

[TooLiveBrew]

And [Hart]'s certainly endeared himself to Brewers fans with his declaration to Brewers fans and management that he wants to re-sign, and will take a hometown discount.

I've seen him state that he wants to re-sign, but can you link to where you saw that he said he'd be willing to take a hometown discount?

[markedman5]

He said something along the lines of I don't need to get every last dollar IIRC

 

yep found it http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/coreys-heart-in-brew-city-op6jul6-167445795.html

 

"It's not like I have to get every last dollar," he said. "If you're comfortable, money is not that big of a deal. I tried to tell Zack that when he was here. He's been struggling (with Los Angeles) and I guarantee you that's part of it.

 

"I don't know what (the Brewers) are thinking, but I'd like to stay. I didn't want any doubt about that. We'll see if they come back with anything."

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks markedman5 -- don't know why I didn't remember that

[jerichoholicninja]

Those are nice words but I'll believe when it actually happens.

[DHonks]

he did it last time he was about to be a free agent.

[Ennder]

We can expect Aoki to hit for empty batting average with good but not great defense. We can hope for something more like we got from him this year but we can't just expect it. The same thing can be said for Gomez. If Hart is going to stick at 1B they need a RH CI type to add depth in the OF IMO just in case one or bother of these guys regress to expectations.

[Baldkin]

We can expect Aoki to hit for empty batting average with good but not great defense. We can hope for something more like we got from him this year but we can't just expect it. The same thing can be said for Gomez. If Hart is going to stick at 1B they need a RH CI type to add depth in the OF IMO just in case one or bother of these guys regress to expectations.

 

You mean like Aoki's .300 OBP vs LHP this season? Despite what RRR says, he cannot hit lefties, and shouldn't hit lefties.

 

Yeah, we need some sort of a righty to play out in RF.

[502 to Right]

Can anyone answer for me, or refer me to articles explaining this: What prompted Aoki to come to the MLB in the first place? When he signed with the Brewers he wasn't guaranteed a starting position. It seems odd to me that a star starting Japanese player would come to the U.S. when they don't even know if they would be starting and also sign for a relatively modest salary ($1.5 million per year). Did he just have a burning desire to see how he would fare in the highest level baseball league there is?

[DHonks]

baldkin, perhaps I'm off here. But a .300 OBP vs lefties seems solid. Lots of star caliber lefties seem to do worse

[Baldkin]

A .300 OBP is never good.

 

For example, long time, beg to platoon him LF Geoff Jenkins: .310 OBP vs LHP for his career.

Fielder: .343

Votto: .394

Ichiro: .368

 

Again, can he play against some lefties? Sure... but would the team be better off with a RH OF (Mench-Type) to spell him against LHP? I'd say almost invariably yes.

[reillymcshane]

 

Again, can he play against some lefties? Sure... but would the team be better off with a RH OF (Mench-Type) to spell him against LHP? I'd say almost invariably yes.

I'd say Reed Johnson would he a good fit.