Byrd, Aoki in ’16 picture

By John Shea

What about a Marlon Byrd/Nori Aoki platoon in left field next year? That’s an option. Actually, two options.

Both players’ contracts include options for 2016. But while the Giants can simply exercise Aoki’s at $5.5 million, Byrd’s is a vesting option based on plate appearances. There’s a good chance it’ll kick in, especially because he has secured playing time with so many wounded outfielders.

Gregor Blanco (concussion) became the latest to be sidelined, joining Aoki (concussion) and Hunter Pence (strained oblique), none of whom are close to returning, meaning more time for Byrd.

Byrd needs 72 plate appearances in the final 20 games for his $8 million option to vest,

an average of 3.6 per game, based on the two-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Phillies two teams ago.

The option is guaranteed with either 600 plate appearances in 2015 (he’s not getting that) or 1,100 over 2014 and 2015 including 550 in 2015, which is obtainable. He has the 1,100, and he’s 72 from the 550.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he doesn’t want to know a player’s contract language and added that Byrd “has done everything we were hoping for.” Since arriving from the Reds via trade, Byrd is hitting

.321 with three homers, 20 RBIs and 27 strikeouts in 21 games.

Byrd could still miss out on playing time if Pence returns or if the Giants want to try younger players.

Meantime, Aoki said he hopes the Giants will exercise his option.

“Definitely I want to play here,” Aoki said. “This organization — manager, staff, players — works for a common goal. I really love the city of San Francisco. There’s a sellout crowd every night, and it’s a great environment.” Bochy & Bochy: Reliever Brett Bochy heard his dad get booed Friday night, and he was OK with it. He knew Giants fans didn’t want Bochy the elder to remove his son with two outs in the ninth inning of a 9-1 rout. After a brief conversation, the manager returned to the dugout amid cheers.

“They were pretty loud,” Brett Bochy said of the boos. “They were definitely booing for a good reason.”