
On November 4 when the Giants declined Nori Aoki's $5.5 million option for 2016, general manager Bobby Evans said the team was going keep an open dialogue with the outfielder.
In the meantime, the 33-year-old outfielder is assessing his options.
One team that reportedly has interest in Aoki is the Seattle Mariners.
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The News Tribune's Bob Dutton spoke to an industry source who told him: "At this point there appears to be real interest (in Aoki) from the Mariners. Whether that leads to a deal is anybody’s guess."
The decision by the Giants to part ways with Aoki gives them with flexibility to pursue big-name free agents to patrol left field or scour the trade market.
For much of the 2015 season, Aoki seemed a lock to return for a second year. He finished with a .287 average and .353 on-base percentage, but was hitting .317 on June 20 when a Carlos Frias fastball fractured his right fibula and started a second-half spiral.
[RELATED: Offseason preview: Giants' banged up outfield needs left fielder]
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Aoki missed a month with that injury and then spent most of August and September dealing with a concussion after getting hit by a Jake Arrieta pitch.
In four major league seasons, Aoki has a career line of .287/.353/.386 with 91 doubles, 16 triples, 24 home runs and 156 RBI.