Former Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is headed back to Japan, Akiyama himself tells Japanese media (English languagelink via the Japan Times). A report from The Manichi in Japan suggests that Akiyama’s former team, the Seibu Lions, could have an offer waiting for him.
The Reds released the 34-year-old Akiyama in April after he’d been squeezed off the Opening Day roster. A few weeks later, Akiyama signed with San Diego.
The Padres have reached an agreement to sign former Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a minor league deal.
The club is moving on from Akiyama.
Akiyama’s three-year, $21M contract gives him the right to decline a minor league assignment, and he already turned down a visit to Triple-A near the end of the 2021 season.
Is this the end of the Shogo Era? In 366 PA with the Cincinnati Reds since the start of the abbreviated 2020 season, Shogo Akiyama has hit a triple and nary a homer.
With the Nats about $60M to $80M below their recent spending levels, they have a lot of room to work with.
If Cincinnati were to go on a lengthy playoff run, Naquin’s chances of returning would surely improve, although that seems very unlikely at this point.
Winker and Akiyama join Tyler Naquin (bruised ribs) on the IL, leaving the Reds suddenly thin in the outfield.
With Akiyama's return and Joey Votto's trip to the injured list the club has had to make some adjustments to the lineup.
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