Milwaukee Brewers Fans Welcome Norichika Aoki to Miller Park

By Brewers Buddy JB | Posted Thursday, January 19

Milwaukee's on-going saga with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki took final positive step over the weekend. The Brewers first achieved negotiating rights for Aoki in December when they posted a $2.5 million bid with the Yakult Swallows, the team that Aoki has been playing for on his native island for the past five years. It was nearly a month before general manager Doug Melvin got to see Aoki in action at the team's training facility in Arizona, but once he did, the positive reviews didn't stop. Melvin and team owner Mark Attanasio both mentioned Aoki’s excellent defensive skills. Just as important to the Brewers are the offensive numbers. Aoki is a three-time Japanese batting champion who already hit a whopping sixty-eight homers and 295 RBIs. His .329 average, and .408 on-base percentage is impressive, along with his record of ninety three steals.

Following the workout, Aoki and the Brewers exchanged contract proposals, Aoki's being managed by his agent Nez Balelo. The deal went through, and Aoki will be wearing a Brewers uniform on opening day at Miller Park. Aoki is the obvious replacement for Braun in the outfield, should the 2011 league MVP be suspended for fifty games. Considering that spring training is only a few weeks away, this acquisition will allow the Brewers to focus on a replacement for Fielder.