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MLB Rumors: Top 5 Landing Spots For Nori Aoki

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MLB Rumors: Top 5 Landing Spots For Nori Aoki

Nori Aoki, Kansas City Royals, MLB Rumors
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Kansas City Royals' right fielder Norichika Aoki has been a bargain for his 2014 price of about million, but the impending free agent will likely see his value on the open market climb considerably, especially if he proves to be a key contributor to the Royals' World Series cause. Here are the top five landing spots for Aoki once the season ends.

5. Texas Rangers

Nori Aoki, Texas Rangers, Alex Rios
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5. Texas Rangers

Nori Aoki, Texas Rangers, Alex Rios
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A corner outfield duo of Shin-Soo Choo and Nori Aoki might be just what the Texas Rangers need to get back on track, especially after they opted not to keep right fielder Alex Rios for another year.

4. Cincinnati Reds

Nori Aoki, Cincinnati Reds, Chris Heisey
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4. Cincinnati Reds

Nori Aoki, Cincinnati Reds, Chris Heisey
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The Cincinnati Reds need a better left fielder option than Chris Heisey, and an on-base percentage machine like Nori Aoki would be a perfect upgrade for a woeful Reds batting order, even though he's only played sparingly as a left fielder.

3. Detroit Tigers

Nori Aoki, Detroit Tigers, Torii Hunter
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3. Detroit Tigers

Nori Aoki, Detroit Tigers, Torii Hunter
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The Detroit Tigers got their money's worth out of veteran right fielder Torii Hunter, but they may opt for a slap-hitting specialist like Norichika Aoki in right field now that the free-agent Hunter will be turning 40 years old in 2015.

2. Baltimore Orioles

Nori Aoki, Baltimore Orioles, Nick Markakis
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2. Baltimore Orioles

Nori Aoki, Baltimore Orioles, Nick Markakis
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The Baltimore Orioles are likely to pass on the nearly million option to keep right fielder Nick Markakis for another year, which could make Norichika Aoki a perfect fit to take over for the Orioles in right field at a fraction of the cost it would take to keep Markakis.

1. Kansas City Royals

Nori Aoki, Kansas City, Lorenzo Cain
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1. Kansas City Royals

Nori Aoki, Kansas City, Lorenzo Cain
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The Kansas City Royals may eventually prefer to have Lorenzo Cain patrolling right field, but why break up a good thing right now when Norichika Aoki has proven he's a catalyst for a World Series team?

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