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Houston Astros: Nori Aoki Claimed Off Waivers from Mariners

By Kevin Haswell

Sep 13, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Nori Aoki (8) follows through on his swing for a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Nori Aoki (8) follows through on his swing for a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros claimed Nori Aoki off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, adding him to their outfield mix for 2017.

The Houston Astros have made a move to improve their outfield for the 2017 season. The team has claimed outfielder Nori Aoki off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. According to Greg Johns of MLB.com, there was a common misconception around the league that Aoki was eligible for free agency because his previous deals let him do so. That is not the case. Aoki signed a one-year deal with the Mariners, which will now let the Astros have control over Aoki for the 2017 season via arbitration. The Astros did their homework on Aoki’s contract and now it appears to have paid off.

Aoki, 34, hit .283/.349/.388 in 467 plate appearances with the Mariners last season. He also added four home runs and 28 RBI. It is surprising that the Mariners did not decide to re-sign Aoki after a solid year from him. Someone once said one man’s loss is another man’s treasure. That is the case with Aoki.

Aoki will give the Astros another bat in left field next season in the scenario that outfielder Colby Rasmus leaves in free agency. The Astros lineup has been loaded with strikeout-prone hitters for the past couple of seasons, but Aoki will bring more of a contact approach. He only struck out 9.6 percent of the time last year.

Aoki had a one-year deal with the Mariners last season with a vesting option for 2017. He fell 13 plate appearances short of triggering the 2017 deal and that is when the Astros came in and claimed Aoki, making him an Astro under arbitration for the 2017 season.

The Astros had an up-and-down season last year, finishing third in the American League West at 84-78. They finished the season five games out of the last Wild Card spot in the American League. They will look to make some moves in free agency to improve next season.

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The Astros have a lot of options next season in their outfield. Currently they have George Springer in right field and Jake Marisnick in center. Colby Rasmus is a free agent and is not expected to re-sign with the Astros. This will open up right field for Aoki next season. They have a lot of flexibility in their outfield, too. They can play any of those guys in center field, allowing them to shift Alex Bregman or Yulieski Gurriel to left field if they need to do so. Baring injuries, the Astros have an outfield ready to compete for an American League Wild Card spot next season.

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