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Aug 31, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) hits a home run in sixth inning against New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Melky Cabrera: On the subject of risky signings, this is the ultimate risky signing. Cabrera spent 2012 with the Giants, and enjoyed a breakout season, as he hit .346 over his first 113 games, en route to being named to the All-Star team. His season ended abruptly when he was suspended 50 games for testing positive for elevated testosterone-levels. There was a cover-up, there was no apology, and Cabrera didn’t even clean out his locker.
There’s no doubt that the Melk-man can hit. But the biggest question is, how will Cabrera be accepted? How will management feel? How about his former teammates? The fans? There’s a lot of variables, but it has been reported that the Giants are interested in bring him back, according to Michael Hurcomb of CBSSports.com.
Alex Rios: Rios has been linked to the Giants multiple times over the last few years, as he was thought to be available on the trade market the last two seasons. Now, Rios is a free agent, and the Giants need a left fielder. Seems like a match made in heaven.
Rios hit .280 in 2014, but only hit four home runs and drove in 54 runs. Those numbers don’t match the $12.5 million he earned last year. If the Giants want to bring him in, the money figure will have to go way down.
Nori Aoki: The Japanese import has been extremely steady since coming to the States in 2012. He is a .287 hitter with 130 RBI’s over three seasons, but he isn’t going to tear the cover off the ball. There isn’t much home run power, and Aoki isn’t really a huge doubles threat either. He hits for extra-bases in just 7% of his AB’s.
However, Aoki is a smart player. He doesn’t strike out, as his 8.9% strikeout rate is absolutely phenomenal. While he doesn’t take many walks, he works counts and fouls off pitches. Overall, Aoki is just a professional hitter. He made under $2 million with Kansas City last year, and, going into his age 33 season, he shouldn’t command a salary much higher than that in 2015.