One of the more exciting signings for the Seattle Mariners this offseason was Nori Aoki, who is slated to be the leadoff hitter the Mariners have coveted since losing Ichiro Suzuki. Four seasons of a batting average between .285 and .288 shows how consistent Aoki is. That is expected by GM Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners for this season as well.
Unfortunately, Aoki has struggled mightily so far this Spring Training, especially for someone who has been known for consistency. Keeping in mind this is only Spring Training, Aoki is 1 for 12 at the plate (the one hit a single) and looked very uncomfortable in center field today in the Mariners’ loss to the Cleveland Indians. A bad throw, that somehow became an out because of confusion by the Indians’ runner, only highlighted the risk Aoki brings to being in center field.
Luckily for Aoki and the Mariners, this is a trend for Aoki that has been happening every spring since joining MLB. In 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers, he hit 20 for 60 (.333) with three strikeouts. In 2014 with the Kansas City Royals, 19 for 65 (.292) with five strikeouts, while in 2015 with the San Francisco Giants he hit 14 for 72 (.194) with six strikeouts in Spring Training. Even with the decline in stats for Spring Training, he has been consistent during the regular season year after year.
The real question might be asking Aoki to play center field every once in a while. Aoki has never been known as an elite defender, although he can be entertaining to watch in the outfield. If Leonys Martin, who is penciled in as the starting center fielder, struggles or is injured at all, expecting Aoki to cover center might be asking too much.
Most likely this means that one of the bench spots that players are vying for this spring is going to a natural center fielder. The three in-house options at this point look like Boog Powell, Shawn O’Malley and Guillermo Heredia, who all have question marks when it comes to contact at the plate. The free agent market is all but gone at this point, although quality outfielders were still on the market up until a week or so ago.
This might mean that Trader Jerry will get to make one last move before the season starts. The Mariners might have a few bargaining chips in Mike Montgomery and Jesus Montero, who are both looking less and less likely to make the 25-man roster. Surgery to remove a cyst has held Montgomery out of Spring Training so far and Montero is in a tough battle for the backup first base spot with Dae-Ho Lee. Both Montgomery and Montero are out of minor league options.
I’m sure Aoki will produce once the season gets going and he is still one of the most exciting acquisitions of the offseason, but relying on him to fill in at center field might turn into a disaster. Whatever Dipoto decides to do, Mariners fans should be confident the problem will be solved.
