Aoki Joins the Milwaukee Brewers

By Brigham the Brewers Man | Posted Wednesday, January 25

Brewers fans say hello to Norichika Aoki! Doug Melvin and the Milwaukee Brewers had until four in the afternoon this past Tuesday to sign a deal with the Japanese outfielder before their $2.5 million bid for negotiating rights was to expire. After weeks of speculation, a two-year contract was agreed upon by the two parties. The exact numbers involved in the deal haven't been made public yet. His 2011 salary with the Yakult Swallows was $3 million, so that might give us an idea as to what his agent Nez Balelo would be looking for from the Brewers.

Melvin, and club owner Mark Attanasio, got their first look at Aoki a few weeks ago at the team's training center in Arizona. Their interest in a deal began right then, and only good words from the two graced the local Milwaukee headlines. The positive reaction was to be expected. Aoki has won multiple awards in his native Japan. He won three league batting championships over the past eight years with the Swallows, as well as six golden gloves and an all-star spot.  Aoki will be at Miller Park on opening day 2012.

Hart May Play First Base for Milwaukee

With this acquisition, Melvin has finished his free-agent shopping for the Milwaukee Brewers outfield. The team expects Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez to return in 2012. Braun continues to face a fifty-game suspension, and Aoki is the expected replacement for Braun, should he fail his appeal. Melvin also discussed the possibility of Hart playing roughly twenty to thirty games at first base in 2012. Matt Gamel has already been given the green light to start at the position, replacing former first basemen Prince Fielder, but Hart could provide some extra support should things with Gamel go sour.