Brewers sign up Aoki

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers looked overseas to add some depth to their outfield Tuesday, signing Norichika Aoki to a two-year deal with a club option for 2014.

Special brew: The Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday signed Norichika Aoki to a two-year deal with a club option for 2014. AP

The 30-year-old Aoki hit over .300 in six of his seven full seasons and was a three-time batting champion in the Central League. He was the CL's 2005 Rookie of the Year and is a six-time Golden Glove winner.

"He wanted to come over here and play," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "I don't think he had as many challenges left over there as he saw over here. So he's coming over here, and he's going to give it his best shot to try and get as much playing time as he can."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Melvin said it contains a "fair amount" of incentives.

Aoki's team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, accepted the Brewers' bid of $2.5 million under the posting system in December. The Brewers had until 4 p.m. Central Standard Time Tuesday to complete a deal.

Had the team not signed Aoki, he would have returned to Japan and the Brewers would have received their bid money back.

Although the deal wasn't announced until after the deadline, Melvin said there wasn't too much last-minute drama.

"At the start of the day, we had a pretty good understanding that there was a chance this is going to happen," Melvin said.

Outfield depth could be critical for the Brewers, given that they may be without NL MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games of next season if he loses his appeal for testing positive for a banned substance.

"He will be given an opportunity, but I really don't want to address that until we know more about Ryan's situation," Melvin said.

The Brewers are optimistic Aoki's success in Japan will translate to the majors, but acknowledge they won't really know until they see him play.

"We made a commitment to Nori and at (this) point, we'll have to just wait and see," Melvin said. "I can't really answer that until we see him play in game conditions."

Aoki bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Melvin says he can play all three outfield positions.

"He was confident that he could come over and show us his skill set, a confident player," Melvin said. "He wants the challenge of playing here in Major League Baseball."

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — With the deadline looming to complete a deal with pitcher Yu Darvish, the Texas Rangers reached deals Tuesday with two right-handed relievers while some of their top pitching prospects worked out at Rangers Ballpark during a winter camp.

The Rangers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to contracts with relievers Mike Adams and Mark Lowe, starting pitcher Matt Harrison and outfielder David Murphy. They exchanged arbitration figures with catcher Mike Napoli, outfielder Nelson Cruz and shortstop Elvis Andrus.

The two-time defending AL champions also were working to finish a multiyear deal with Darvish before their 30-day negotiating window ends Wednesday at 4 p.m. Central Standard Time.

"We'll see if (Wednesday) is Christmas or not," Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux said.

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