The Seattle Mariners became the subject of another Hot Stove rumor Monday when The (Tacoma) News Tribune reported the club is interested in free-agent outfielder Nori Aoki.
Though the report quoted an industry source that questioned whether a deal would get done, it's fairly easy to see how Aoki would fit the vision of Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto.
Since being hired, Dipoto's trades and signings have aimed to make the roster more athletic and better defensively, while focusing more on players with high on-base percentage rather than the all-or-nothing sluggers that former GM Jack Zduriencik coveted.