Japanese player could fit with White Sox

rsanrel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:46:12 +0000

The off-season rumor mill is fast approaching, and White Sox fans can expect to be inundated with some familiar names as general manager Kenny Williams attempts to shore up one – possibly two – outfield spots

Chone Figgins should be available, as should Carl Crawford, Bobby Abreu, Coco Crisp, Mike Cameron and a slew of other outfielders who always seem destined to land on the South Side.

Here’s a fresh name to throw on the pile:

“There’s a kid named (Norichika) Aoki, who is an Ichiro-type outfielder, hitter, runner, defensive player,” said Bobby Valentine, who is wrapping up his sixth and final season managing the the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. “I don’t think anybody is the caliber of Ichiro, but he is a special left-handed hitting outfielder.”

Guess what is at, or near, the top of Williams’ shopping list this season?

It’s no secret the Sox are looking for a reliable left-handed bat, and Aoki appears to fit that bill.

The 27-year-old Aoki is wrapping up his fifth full season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Central League.

In his first four seasons with the Swallows, Aoki batted .338 with a .406 on-base percentage.

Click here to read the full article – By Scot Gregor of DailyHerald.com

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Japanese player could fit with White Sox