Report: Mariners showing interest in free agent Nori Aoki

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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.

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.

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