The Oakland A just signed the most interesting player you’ve never heard of

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The move likely won’t show up on the ESPN ticker as breaking news or greatly change the team’s low-level prospects, but the 2023 Oakland A’s have become significantly more interesting and watchable with the signing of Jesús Aguilar.

The 32-year-old Venezuelan baseman and designated hitter reportedly agreed Tuesday morning to a one-year, $3 million contract with the team pending a medical.

On the field, Aguilar will provide some punch in a lineup that doesn’t have many guaranteed power hitters. He hit 35 home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 and competed in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game that season. Aguilar also scored 22 goals for the 2021 Miami Marlins, though he has a poor 2022 campaign when he was named to assignment (DFA) by a Miami team lacking offense, followed by a short and forgettable run with Baltimore. Orioles.

If Aguilar returns to form, he could be a candidate for a trade to the A team, which is likely still a couple of years away from a major playoff promotion short of an unlikely 2012-type run. Whether he excels on the pitch or not, Aguilar just makes the team more fun by adding personality.

In Milwaukee, Brewer’s teammates showed their love for the 6-foot-3, 277-pound Aguilar by fitting two players into one pair of his pants, mimicking a stunt the Kansas City Royals pulled off five years earlier.

He was regular microphone during his time with the Marlins and never stopped entertaining his teammates and fans. In a May 2021 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Aguilar wore a mic throughout the game and the results were funny. He discussed with teammates which store to go to to buy a teammate’s birthday cake (Publix won against Walmart since they were in Florida), named one of his teammates “John Wick” and spent much of the game pointing excitedly at former teammate Matt Joyce in the opponent’s dugout..

Yes, there’s a chance that Aguilar is past its heyday and continues to run under .700 OPS (on base plus slugging), leading to a quick and forgettable run that ends with an unceremonious DFA. Last year, the A’s looked to get a similar strength and personality in Eric Thames, who signed with the minor leagues and never appeared in a game with a major league club. While Thames never caught on, Dermis Garcia showed glimpses of potential, hitting five home runs in 125 plate games at the end of the season. With the signing of Aguilar, Garcia will most likely start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Unlike Thames, Aguilar made a deal with MLB. He will be on the Opening Day list as long as he is healthy. Even if he struggles, there’s a good chance he’ll hit at least one giant homer like this shot in 2018 in Milwaukee. His strikes are worth paying attention to, regardless of the score.

And no matter how good or bad he plays, he will always be able to tell his teammates where Matt Joyce is.

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