Nori Aoki off the Market

[AlbionHero]

We're talking about a guy who has been worth an average of 10.5 million dollars a year according to Fangraphs, yet he is signed for only 1/4 mil. Thats a steal for San Fran.

[oriole]

I doubt the O's ever wanted him but it does take a potential suitor away from Rasmus.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

so we'd have a real lead off hitter? He's basically Markakis (but with more speed) but would be at 1/3 what we paid him last year.

Alejandro De Aza is perfectly capable of batting leadoff.

And just for the record:

Aoki 2014- .709 OPS, 1 rWAR

Lough 2014- .694 OPS, 1.6 rWAR

Lough is both younger and a better defender than Aoki.

[paulcoates]

What's gonna happen when Rasmus signs elsewhere?

[Guest]

What's gonna happen when Rasmus signs elsewhere?

[DrinkinWithFermi]

What's gonna happen when Rasmus signs elsewhere?

A lot of posters here will lose their friggin' minds since Rasmus is clearly the difference between winning 100 games and finishing in last place. Duh

[Can_of_corn]

A lot of posters here will lose their friggin' minds since Rasmus is clearly the difference between winning 100 games and finishing in last place. Duh

In their defense they are expecting the last place team in the AL East to win 98 games.

[DrinkinWithFermi]

In their defense they are expecting the last place team in the AL East to win 98 games.

If only we'd signed Colby...

Oh well, there's always next year.

[sportsfan8703]

Alejandro De Aza is perfectly capable of batting leadoff.

And just for the record:

Aoki 2014- .709 OPS, 1 rWAR

Lough 2014- .694 OPS, 1.6 rWAR

Lough is both younger and a better defender than Aoki.

That's heavily relying on defensive metrics. That aren't an exact science. Lough isn't a good base stealer and isn't the offensive player that Aoki is. I really like Lough as a 4th OF this year and could be a starter in 2016 if he earns it. But the Royals had David Lough in 2013. They traded him in the offseason, and traded for Aoki. If that tells you anything. Aoki is a much better situational hitter than Lough.

[Ripken]

Good. I still have no idea why anyone wanted him here.

[ShaneDawg85]

Good. I never wanted him in the first place.

[spiritof66]

What's gonna happen when Rasmus signs elsewhere?

It might slow down the "Time to Get on the Colby Rasmus thread, but probably not.

[Mayor McCheese]

It might slow down the "Time to Get on the Colby Rasmus thread, but probably not.

I read that he was going to sign within 48 hours about 192 hours ago.

[Oriole1940]

The part I don't get is why Atlanta signed him? You blow your team up and sign a 31 year old coming off neck surgery.

I heard interview with Braves GM, and I am convinced some organizations are better than others at evaluating intangibles of a player, especially a pros pro like Nick. Everyday player, pencil him in. Not a part timer who cannot hit lefties. And a gold glover to boot.

[sportsfan8703]

And let Aoki walk, and spent 11M for one year of Alex Rios, if that tells you anything.

I'm talking about two similar players in Aoki and Lough. Rios got 11 million because power is at a premium now without PEDs. They had a few guys with Aoki's skill set. So he was expendable. However we need obp and a leadoff type guy. I hope Lough is a starter for 16-19. But with us being so close and then having so many FA's I'd rather have a guy like Aoki than Lough. As of now are options are Lough playing everyday. Pearce playing everyday and young playing everyday. All three are highly likely to fail when over exposed.

And I don't really see anyone left on the FA market that would help our OBP and situational hitting. Not really feeling Rasmus because he is too similar to what we already have.