Colby Rasmus vs Nori Aoki

[SteveO]

I am glad I did not have to point that out again. David Lough could easily become Aoki if he chose to.

Which is why the Orioles should just run with Lough at this point.

Neither Aoki or Rasmus bring anything to the table that warrants signing them IMO.

Lough I believe for this team as it is composed could bring just as much to the table as either of those guys. The team does not need another SO king and as you point out, Lough could likely slap the ball around just as well as Aoki, perhaps with a little more double, HR power and significantly better defense.

Pass on both

[weams]

Which is why the Orioles should just run with Lough at this point.

Neither Aoki or Rasmus bring anything to the table that warrants signing them IMO.

Lough I believe for this team as it is composed could bring just as much to the table as either of those guys. The team does not need another SO king and as you point out, Lough could likely slap the ball around just as well as Aoki, perhaps with a little more double, HR power and significantly better defense.

Pass on both

Strikeouts are not all they are torn down to be. BABIP ground balls on high OBP teams by slow batters give you two out for one.

[Ven6]

Which is why the Orioles should just run with Lough at this point.

Neither Aoki or Rasmus bring anything to the table that warrants signing them IMO.

Lough I believe for this team as it is composed could bring just as much to the table as either of those guys. The team does not need another SO king and as you point out, Lough could likely slap the ball around just as well as Aoki, perhaps with a little more double, HR power and significantly better defense.

Pass on both

I don't get the "pass on both" stance.

Rasmus can give us better D in RF than last year and potentially, if he bounces back, could make up 20 to 30 HRs we've lost with Cruz. It's a smart, low risk, low money, one year bet.

Aoki on the other hand, doesn't improve D or give us anything Lough and or De Aza couldn't deliver.

For the way this team is shaping up in its construction, I think it's a no brainer.

[crawjo]

Yeah, I don't think there's much chance that Rasmus would make us a worse team in 2015. I think he offers an improvement, and his track record suggests that he can be a valuable player. I certainly prefer him over Lough or De Aza as an everyday option.

[Three Run Homer]

I would take Aoki's 2014 over Rasmus' 2014, but Aoki's age and his decline in power in 2014 are major red flags. If Aoki's bat slows down even a little bit more he could get to the point where pitchers can just overpower him, and he'll become an empty .260 hitter.

Rasmus has more upside and better defense, so I would take him if Buck is convinced he will not be a problem in the clubhouse. I'll note that Delmon Young came here with a checkered reputation and turned out to be a great addition.

[Jim'sKid26]

Rasmus is likely to provide better defense in RF than Aoki. DD and Buck value defense. Chances are reasonably good that Rasmus will hit at OPACY as he has a very solid track record there. A one year deal for a solid defender with upside in the power department is a good risk to take. I see very little potential downside.

[weams]

Rasmus is likely to provide better defense in RF than Aoki. DD and Buck value defense. Chances are reasonably good that Rasmus will hit at OPACY as he has a very solid track record there. A one year deal for a solid defender with upside in the power department is a good risk to take. I see very little potential downside.

I agree, I think if Buck wants him, I'll be fine with this.

[Fla_O'sfan]

So it has come down to two players not wanted at all by their 2014 teams? Terrific.

[weams]

So it has come down to two players not wanted at all by their 2014 teams? Terrific.

To replace a guy that we ultimately left walk as well? I'd be happy with nothing extra. I expect that you'll like it if we get anyone. Max Scherzer is not wanted by his 2014 team either. Nor was Billy Butler.

[brianod]

Rasmus has better defense, more power and more upside. Aoki is ok for KC but at Camden Yards, you need power to win.

[Just Regular]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/ball-in-play-leaders-and-laggards-american-league-hitters/

It was interesting to me in the piece the Rasmus/Aoki contrast in the relative production on flyballs. The author shows the top and bottom 10 and Rasmus was fifth while Aoki was third from last (minimum 215 balls in play).

I like Blengino as an analyst and put some belief in his viewpoint "the flyball production table is likely the most directly tied to player talent". I don't mean that bad about Aoki, that's not his style as a hitter. But it did increase my respect for Rasmus's upside as a power hitter.