Earlier this year, the Mets and Rangers both contacted the Brewers about outfielder Norichika Aoki's availability, but were told that he was more likely to be traded this off-season. Right now, Milwaukee is shopping Aoki around with several teams to possibly bring in a left handed hitting first-baseman, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman pictures that if Aoki was brought to New York, he'd be a solid every-day leadoff hitter, which would move Eric Young Jr. into a "super-sub, late-game runner, double-switch piece."
Aoki, 31, hit .286 with a .356 on-base percentage and struck out at a solid 5.9 % clip in 2013. He will earn approximately $2 million in 2014, and will be a free agent in 2015.
Sherman believes that the Mets should swap Ike Davis for Aoki, as Davis could be the first-baseman that Milwaukee is looking after.
I've always like Aoki, as he's been one of the more consistent players to come from Japan. He has averaged 10 homers, 26 stolen bases, and a .287 batting average ever since he came to the MLB two years ago. If he was brought to the Mets, I would immediately slide him into the leadoff spot, and push Eric Young Jr. to the bench. The only problem with Aoki is his lack of power, and it seems like the Mets are looking for one, if not two power bats this winter.
The Brewers would probably love to have Ike Davis as a reclamation project, but I have a feeling that Sandy Alderson will wait until the Winter Meetings to fully determine Davis' market. As a former first round pick, and a player who hit over 30 homers not too long ago, the Mets shouldn't just HAND Davis away to any team that wants him.
No comments:
Post a Comment