Astros' Norichika Aoki: Agrees to deal to avoid arbitration

Aoki agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Astros on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis:

The Josh Reddick signing last week clouded Aoki's future with the organization a bit, with some speculating that he could be non-tendered, but the 34-year-old is staying put. A waiver acquisition earlier this month, Aoki hit .283/.349/.388 in 118 games with the Mariners this past season, striking out just 45 times in 417 plate appearances. As a high-contact lefty, Aoki could see regular time on the favorable end of a left-field platoon.