Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Giants' Bochy on Aoki: 'He kind of reminds of Pablo'
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 6:00pm

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nori Aoki is offering a bold challenge to World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, one of his new San Francisco Giants teammates.

"I've heard that Madison likes to wrestle, I think I'm going to initiate the wrestling," the left fielder joked Tuesday.

Aoki brings more than just a big personality and sense of humor to the World Series champions. Manager Bruce Bochy is projecting him as the team's starting left fielder, while noting Aoki's versatility allows him to fill in for Angel Pagan in center field and Hunter Pence in right as needed. Pagan will begin spring training next month as the leadoff hitter, another job Aoki can handle with his speed and ability to steal bases.

"Of course I'd like to hit at the top of the order but that's going to be his decision," Aoki said, speaking through regular interpreter Kosuke Inaji, who joins him in the move to the Bay Area.

[RELATED: Aoki would 'like to hit at the top,' but picked Giants to win]

Aoki finalized his $4.7 million, one-year contract Monday and was formally introduced a day later at AT&T Park. Both sides appear hopeful he could stick around beyond this season.

Bochy figures Aoki might reconsider the wrestling match once he lines up next to the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Bumgarner.

"That may be our opening day deal, to have these two get in the ring. That would be entertaining, I will say, speed against bulk," Bochy said. "I don't know if he'll stay with that comment once he stands next to Madison. He may back off that one."

Aoki played last season with Kansas City, which lost the World Series to the Giants in seven games.

"I've always liked the city of San Francisco but not only that I've always had admiration for the Giants and the history they've had," Aoki said. "Having played against them the last three years, they played together as a team. They have a team that has a chance to play for a championship each year."

One order of business off the field will be doing something nice for bench coach Ron Wotus, who has previously worn Aoki's new No. 23 - through three World Series championship runs the past five years, too.

"Twenty-three is a lucky number to me," Aoki said. "I know that one of the coaches wears No. 23. I heard he likes to play golf, maybe I can buy him some golf clubs and maybe even a Rolex."

Given the departure of switch-hitting slugger Pablo Sandoval to Boston last fall, San Francisco's brass realized that without that power, the Giants might have to find creative ways to score runs with aggressive baserunning and contributions from throughout the lineup to fill Panda void.

Bochy said Aoki is a tough out and has the ability to hit to all fields and is equally as reliable on defense. Outfielder Gregor Blanco, who reached agreement on a $7.5 million, two-year contract Sunday, will come off the bench and spell players for days off.

"He kind of reminds of Pablo a little bit, he's not going to hit the home runs like Pablo," Bochy said of Aoki. "We acquired him to play."

Aoki, 33, receives a $4 million base salary this year, and the Giants have a $5.5 million option for 2016 with a $700,000 buyout. The option would become mutual if Aoki has 550 plate appearances this year, and he would receive the buyout if he exercises the option and the team declines.

Aoki can earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses each year based on plate appearances: $100,000 each for 400, 425, 475 and 500; and $250,000 apiece for 525, 550, 575 and 600. The team will release him at the end of the contract, making him a free agent again.

Aoki hit .285 with a home run, six triples, 22 doubles and 43 RBIs over 132 games in his lone season with the Royals after two in Milwaukee. He also stole 17 bases.

"We know our clubhouse is under construction but our roster is getting closer and closer to being set," assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. "We see Nori as a tremendous athlete, a tremendous presence."

The Giants have yet to make a corresponding move to add Aoki to the 40-man roster, preferring to use the time they have before the contract is filed with Major League Baseball. Sabean was sorry to miss Aoki's introductory news conference; he is in Arizona with a respiratory condition and doctors advised him not to fly for a few days.

"Overall we know it's going to be difficult to replace Sandoval, period," Sabean said. "Every team develops its own identity. It's just going to be a different look."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: 1-on-1 with new Giants outfielder Nori Aoki
Aoki shares his expectations for season, batting order
Aoki wants to challenge Bumgarner to wrestling match
Nori Aoki dons the Orange and Black

Giants

Giants' Bochy on Aoki: 'He kind of reminds of Pablo'
Aoki would 'like to hit at the top,' but picked Giants to win
Kuiper: Aoki 'not a sexy signing' for Giants, but...
Aoki passes physical, deal with Giants official
Read More

Athletics

A's position-by-position breakdown: Shortstop
Astros acquire Straily, Valbuena from Cubs for Fowler
Report: Rangers acquire Gallardo from Brewers
Report: A's, Parker $850,000 apart in arbitration numbers
Read More

Sharks

Braun, Wingels placed on IR, Mueller headed to Worcester
Rewind: Sharks continue to scuffle at home on important stretch
Shot of the Game: Former Shark Bernier fires off rebound
Wingels, Braun both hurt in Sharks loss to Devils
Read More

49ers

Whitner on Fangio to Bears: 'Tremendous loss for 49ers'
No milk, no problem: Harbaugh once put Gatorade in cereal
Report: 49ers considering Mangini for defensive coordinator
Ex-Bills coach Marrone reportedly was 49ers candidate
Read More

Raiders

Brad Seely named Raiders special teams coordinator
Musgrave, Del Rio reunite after breakup in Jacksonville
Musgrave has 'very positive impression' of Raiders RB Murray
Musgrave: Carr made Raiders OC job attractive
Read More

Warriors

Curry's mom fines Warriors PG for turnovers
Vegas giving Warriors best odds to win 2015 NBA title
Rockets' Harden: Warriors 'ain't that good'
Shot of the Game: McAdoo records his first NBA FG with tip-in
Read More

NCAA

Saint Mary's beats BYU, moves to 7-0 in conference play
SJSU stumbles in second half, falls to Colorado State
Randle leads Stanford past defending champion UConn
Clark scores 23 to lead Santa Clara past San Francisco
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Giants' Bochy on Aoki: 'He kind of reminds of Pablo'
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: 1-on-1 with new Giants outfielder Nori Aoki
YSTL: 1-on-1 with new Giants outfielder Nori Aoki
See more >

More Stories

Aoki passes physical, deal with Giants official
(1)
Report: Astros in 'serious discussions' with Vogelsong
(4)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's position-by-position breakdown: Shortstop
(2)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Zobrist: 'Stoked, excited to be part' of A's team
Zobrist: 'Stoked, excited to be part' of A's team
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • A's position-by-position breakdown: Shortstop
  • A's position-by-position outlook: Second base
  • A's avoid arbitration with Reddick, Lawrie, three others
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Braun, Wingels placed on IR, Mueller headed to Worcester
CSN Bay Area staff

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks burned by lowly Devils
Highlights: Sharks burned by lowly Devils
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Curry's mom fines Warriors PG for turnovers
Y! Sports

WARRIORS VIDEO

Livingston on Warriors second unit's mentality: 'Competition at its highest'
Livingston on Warriors second unit's mentality: 'Competition at its highest'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • NBA Gameday: Warriors look to rebound vs. Howard, Rockets
  • Rewind: Warriors sacrifice short term with hope for future gain
  • Instant Replay: Short-handed Warriors fall to Thunder in OKC
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Flopping trend going up as defensive scheme against Cousins
Bill Herenda

Kings Video

Highlights: Kings fail to close out Blazers in Portland
Highlights: Kings fail to close out Blazers in Portland
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Whitner on Fangio to Bears: 'Tremendous loss for 49ers'
(10)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Would Lane Kiffin be good fit for 49ers?
Would Lane Kiffin be good fit for 49ers?
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Ex-Bills coach Marrone reportedly was 49ers candidate
  • Matt Maiocco's 49ers chat transcript (1.20.15)
  • Report: 49ers' Baalke meets with Gamble at Senior Bowl
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Brad Seely named Raiders special teams coordinator
(1)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

EXCLUSIVE: 1-on-1 with Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio
EXCLUSIVE: 1-on-1 with Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • 49ers' Culliver arrested in San Jose
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes trade Cronin to Rapids
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

JOE STIGLICH

A's position-by-position breakdown: Shortstop
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Ex-Bills coach Marrone reportedly was 49ers candidate
(17)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Brad Seely named Raiders special teams coordinator
(1)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

NBA Gameday: Warriors look to rebound vs. Howard, Rockets
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Flopping trend going up as defensive scheme against Cousins
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Rewind: Sharks continue to scuffle at home on important stretch
(14)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Roger Goodell, welcome to your Super Bowl In Hell

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

SATURDAY NIGHT ON ICE SHARKS POSTER!

more

Click here to find out how to win a Sharks collectors edition poster!

AUTHENTIC FAN THURSDAY

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



NCAA

Clark scores 23 to lead Santa Clara past San Francisco
NCAA agrees to restore wins to Penn State, title to Paterno

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: 1-on-1 with new Giants outfielder Nori Aoki
YSTL: 1-on-1 with new Giants outfielder Nori Aoki
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Bill Herenda - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California