Nori Aoki Signs One-Year Deal With Mariners

Last year, Nori Aoki‘s season was derailed by injury. The San Francisco outfielder suffered a concussion in August when he was hit in the head by a pitch. While he returned to the line-up quickly, he then ran into the outfield wall making a catch; complaining of nausea and difficulty focusing, the Giants had no choice but to put him on the disabled list. He also missed 28 games with a fracture in his right leg during the season.

With that in mind, it is understandable that the club chose not to pick up his $5.5 million option for the 2016 season. That decision allowed Aoki to hit free agency, where he was snapped up by the Seattle Mariners.

The Hyuga, Japan, native is known as a good contact hitter and a strong defensive outfielder. The Mariners will surely hope that his speed in the field and on the bases will allow him to succeed in the cavernous Safeco Field.

Seattle also added right-handed reliever Justin De Fratus, most recently of the Philadelphia Phillies, on Wednesday.

Photo: San Francisco Giants OF Nori Aoki Via Flickr The Commons