The Reds announced today that they have signed a three-year deal with Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama. It’s a $21MM pact, the club added. Akiyama will earn successive salaries of $6MM, $7MM, and $8MM, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (via Twitter).
This deal reportedly came together just before the calendar flipped, but details had remained murky. It turns out Akiyama is indeed headed to Cincinnati, becoming the organization’s first player from Japan. (Every MLB team has now employed at least one player from the Asian baseball giant.)
The 31-year-old Akiyama is a well-rounded performer who primarily played up the middle in Japan. He broke out in 2015 and has sustained it since, producing a cumulative .320/.398/.497 batting line with 94 home runs in that five-year span. Akiyama played in every single one of the Seibu Lions’ 143 games in each of those campaigns.
With this contract now in the books, the Reds have added two key pieces to an already talented slate of position players. Akiyama and Mike Moustakas both figure to see steady action in 2020 and beyond. It remains to be seen what that means for the rest of the roster — and the rest of the offseason. As we explored recently, the Reds now seem to have quite a few options for finishing things off over the next five weeks.
Out of the Ozuna race now? Interesting move. Probably a good one though.
Reds move senzel it’s bc they are gonna sign Ozuna. Reds most likely team least scared to give a pick up to sign him.
Ozuna is the most overrated player in this free agent class
If Corey Dickerson got 2 year 17.5 million and kole Calhoun got 2 years 16 million I don’t see how ozuna can really be worth any more than 2 years 20 million, I would much rather my squad have signed Dickerson for that than ever give ozuna anything close to the predictions on this site
I couldn’t agree more, JoshG. This is the signing I really wanted to see.
I agree w all that. Problem is reds struggle getting free agents to sign so they get creative or overpay to get to guys. That’ll be the case w Ozuna. Not their first pick by any means but if they can roll senzel into lindor and Ozuna- that has to be on the table. Ozuna will get good money if that’s the case
Agreed
Yeah…not crazy about Ozuna…
But compared to what we have…I’ll take him.
barely an upgrade on winker/ervin/Aquino/Senzel
now if the do trade winker/senzel it would make a little sense at least
Can’t say who is most overrated, but I know it’s not Ozuna. As a Cardinals fan who never misses a game I can tell you his past 2 seasons don’t show his capability. In 2018 he battled shoulder problems all year. At the end of the year after an injection he came back with the performance we expected when we traded for him. Last year he was on a tear until he broke his hand and after his return his performance wasn’t the same. With a healthy season his numbers will more closely resemble 2017 with Miami. He won’t be an MVP but he will put up solid numbers and certainly has the ability to be an all star more than once.
Nice!
Time to trade @lilsenzii
*obligatory comment about how this means Senzel is undoubtedly going to Cleveland*
haha yeah it’ll be that mixed in with, a comment about how they are going to now move Senzel to shortstop….or the more ludicrous Senzel to 2b, Moose to 3b and Suarez to ss
Why is moving Senzel to SS so ridiculous? He has all the tools to play SS well, though his experience there admittedly is limited. Plus with so many shifts nowadays, range isn’t quite as important as it once was.
He played one game in the minors at shortstop. The reds seem to move prospects around positionally far too frequently, he just learned how to play center while trying to adjust to major league hitting. Leave the kid alone and let him get comfortable.
maybe because the team doesn’t like him at SS and stated this at nausem the last 6mths. He’s not going to SS!
That’s funny…I’ve never read a word from them saying that, and I read everything Reds related…
don’t know if he could handle it or if it’s a good idea but I have never heard them come out and say this either .. and definitely has not been said at “nausem” or 1000x times
People still wanting senzel or suarez moved to SS when the team stated 1,000x neither will play SS. smh.
Understand they are not going to play ss. It’s the fact that ppl think Suarez couldn’t play the position, that he came up playing, is funny! Is he built to be a better 3rd baseman, yes of course, but those that act as if it’s insane, bc his skillset wouldn’t allow for it, evidently has no prior knowledge of him before his breakout with Reds.. 110% understand the Reds are not going to do so.. Galvis is the man as of today. But IF no trades made, or other signings, what happens when the often hurt Galvis is out? Or just how turn for day off? Telling me without a doubt, he’s playing all 162 games, every defensive inning?? So, if no Lindor trade, or any veteran backup signed.. Something has to be done.. If refuse to play either at SS, then who does, in the highly likely chance, Galvis misses time? So, the thoughts are not idiotic, they are good questions.
physically he couldn’t handle SS everyday anymore… much bulkier and slower now than when he played SS
You knew it was coming!
haha yepp and yet i cannot avoid comment sections.
I heard a new one last week. Someone suggested we convert India to SS and call him up. You know, because the guy who hasn’t seen AAA yet is going to be better than Galvis!
Snarky! It does beg the question of what are the Reds plans for Senzel. I apologize for everyone who is guessing. We are just simple minded folks.
put him where he fits
Do you watch baseball much? Or follow outside of sportscenter/baseball tonight? Bc, I agree with the idea of the 1st being unlikely, and quiet frankly a stretch.. But the 2nd 1, which I don’t think Will happen for 1sec either, just to be upfront. But calling it more ludicrous is actually very wrong! You do realize that Senzel’s natural position, and the one he’s played the most, is in fact 2nd base? Ok you have to know that Moose, spent his majority of time with Brewers, manning the hot corner on 3rd? Although Suarez has adapted in big leagues, became a very good 3rd baseman, and I think fits his skillset better.. But, again you didn’t know that his natural position, coming up, and even has played brief stints during his time in majors, but without a doubt was his natural position on the come up, was that in fact of SS? If you haven’t really watched him play, I get it.. If you have, you see a guy that easily has the athleticism, range, to command the position.. Is he going to be gold glove, I most certainly would not think so! Lol But could he play it for a big portion of the season, and then days moose, senzel rest, he rotate bk to 3rd. Or Votto rest, Moose to 1st, him to 3rd, Galvis subs in at short.. That could easily happen if the Reds end up with Senzel on opening day roster, and really wanted to put their most talented lineup offensively on the field, and again it’s not like ur asking some guys to learn new positions, and get familiar as season goes. You put Moose where he’s been. Senzel, where he has almost mostly been, and Suarez where he came into the league as..?? I don’t see the overwhelming ludircrousy of that idea? Lol Again, I don’t think it happens, but to speak as if ppl that mention that are delusional, and had no clue, I really don’t get.. I mean that argument made more sense for Senzel last yr, bc you were asking him to learn a new position, with on the job training! But to put him bk to his natural position is in ur words ludicrous! Lol I GUESS?? LOL
Some people can’t comment without trying to gain intellectual superiority by insulting others. I see your point, and to me it’s a valid one…
I am not stating nor did I state that Senzel or Moose or even Suarez could not spell at an alternate position, I think having guys with position flexibility is great and what the front office clearly looks for. My comment was directed at people who seem to believe that our day to day infield should be 1B – Votto, 2B – Senzel, SS – Suarez, and 3B – Moose. I certainly believe that we will see Moose play a little 3rd or 1st for off days/injury and Suarez could probably spell at first if needed and in a pinch could handle a few innings at short as he did in 2018. I realize second is the natural position for Senzel and yes he may end up playing there a few innings if needed. The ludicrous statement is directed at the people that want our infield to consistently be Votto-Senzel-Suarez-Moose,
Who did I insult in my comment?
just for clarity, professionally Senzel has played mainly 3B not 2B
196 minor league games at 3B
29 minor league games at 2B
8 minor league games at OF
1 minor league games at SS
was a 2B coming out of high school but mainly 3B in college
sjcourtney…I didn’t mean you in particular, it’s just a common occurrence on all of these boards…
This is an interesting signing. 302 average, 390 OBS and 23 HR….if that translates to 280/ 360/ 20 with sold defense it will be nice. It’s cool that the Reds are thinking outside the box ( for the Reds) for talent
*solid
ZIPS has him projected as .273/.331/.433 for next year and I don’t think that will be far off.
I’d say .270/.350/.430 since he is known for his plate discipline.
That’s not great playing 81 games in Cincy. He doesn’t have to be much better than that to justify what they’re paying him, but that’d also be fairly disappointing when accounting for park factors.
Cincinnati is known to inflate HR totals and suppress all other extra base hits. It’s not exactly the most hitter friendly place you could ever go especially if you’re not hitting it out of the park.
Yea I just dont buy all that….then what about Winker…..Votto….. Puig was gonna destroy it there right? I dont think we add anything to him as he already has a bit much on his plate-
Gimme fat stacks on the under 350 obp thats been sprayed around here pretty liberally as well
According to the Zips projections, if Akiyama hit the slash line mentioned above, that’d be a little below league average, though you are right about the park factors – Cincy has only been slightly above average for runs the last couple of seasons. Regardless, that’s only an average slash line in the current run environment with the new ball, which obviously goes with you to every park.
There is no planet, projected simulated or otherwise where that slash line is below average. That’s ridiculous.
League average last year was .252/.323/.435, so idk what the “below average” statement is about.
He is projected to generate 4.3 WAR over the next three seasons which would value his contract at $24.5M. I’ll take it!
I read once this guy is a distant cousin of Saul Rubinek
I need to go watch Warehouse 13 now.
This opens the door for a New short stop
Maybe one from Cleveland
Felix Fermin?
It might just open the Lin-door. Ba dum tss
Underrated comment
I thought lindor would for sure be on a new team by now. His arbitration is coming up. Once his figures locked and reds get a deal in place with another free agent outfielder- be interesting if they’ll trade senzel for him
Typed in :
Top 50 in the MLB traderumors search engine.
Crazy the link below would be the third option.
mlbtraderumors.com/2008/01/remaining-top-5.html
I think Senzel stays in Cincinnati and play shortstop…
Which one of these guys in the photo is Akiyama?
The guy in the back. Hard to believe they couldn’t find a better picture lol
Happy the Reds finally picked up an NPB export, but I’m not sure about this guy. Minimal power and speed.
He avg. 23 hrs per last 3 years. Is that minimal.Might hit 30 in the reds bandbox.
23 in the npb is nothing
It was good for top 10 in the league during that time according to baseball-reference.com.
looking at the stats.. 23 over there is solid.
he finished 9th, 11th, and 14th in HR’s in NPB’s Pacific league the last three years
Can Senzel play 2b? I’d love to see Boston go after him
I guess we could do a Senzel for Bogaerts deal.
maybe the Reds will sign Ozuna and then make the trade for Lindor…
3 team trade.
Lindor to LAD
Seager to Cincinnati
Senzel to Cleveland
Some other moving parts like prospects to Cle. Thoughts
I think Dodgers are out on Lindor since they want to keep Lux.
If the Dodgers get Betts and take on Price’s contract at the same time, they’ll need to cut some payroll.
Reds could take Seager, Pederson, and Downs and send Senzel and India to LA.
My friend where is lux in his deal…. think before you type…. also your proposal is crazy
I think its very reasonable Murphy and if a Lindor deal to the Dodgers went down I have said for a while it would have to be a 3 team deal and they certainly work well with Cincy in the recent past
@dragonsbeard
That’s a really bad trade offer for the dodgers for so many different reasons.
Seager is an all star SS who’s only projected to make 7.1m this year. Hes the last piece you move if you’re looking to dump salary.
Plus…In your ”scenario” the dodgers don’t add Lindor so why would they want to move a very cheap and productive seager for anything other than a top of the rotation SP or a hader like piece for the bullpen?
Look…I get it…the reds desperately need a SS but this is just pure fantasy unless the dodgers get Lindor or unless they were to use seager or more specifically his trade value to help get Lindor or Thor or Hader or something in that mold that would provide value to the current roster. This trade does none of that in the scenario you describe. Even then why would they include Downs in the deal? To get india? Hard pass. I like Downs much better than India straight up.
I respect that you want seager but I think you failed to add some dodgers perspective to the equation before you hit send on this one.
If you want thoughts to your “new” idea, scroll back about a month …
Hey Murphy,
I made that trade scenario a while back on some other Reds article, so yeah I think it sounds great. Seems like a win/win for all. as long as those moving parts are not too expensive.
Most Cleveland fans aren’t particularly thrilled with the idea of senzel being the main piece they get back in a Lindor trade or if he is included in the deal they would want a significant amount of value on top of him.
Now…I’m not saying they are right or wrong to feel that way but that’s certainly the perception that I get from them.
For what it is worth, the Cleveland Indians just confirmed that shortstop Francisco Lindor will be attending their winter fan fest on February 1st.
It appears that Lindor and Clevinger will be Cleveland Indians in 2o2o, and I am very glad about that.
As you should be John. That’s great news.
I sincerely hope Lindor is an Indian for a long time and I hope they extend him…but if they don’t…I certainly hope the dodgers are ready to pounce! Lol
They play 144 game seasons.
I thought it was 144 also, but Seibu has had 143 game seasons for the last 5 seasons. If you look at Baseball-Reference he’s listed for every game (not sure if he started in all, but he appeared in all).
Yawn
We keeping you up big guy?
I think Senzel can catch.
Start Senzel in the rotation between Bauer and Miley, and he can start at SS on his off days. Then Castillo is expendable, and you can trade him and Suarez for Odor and Choo, so the Rangers can sign Donaldson and Chirinos… Looks good lol. Seriously though, I’d be excited about the possibilities as a Reds fan this season.
lol.
Maybe Senzel will be in CF and Shogo will back him up while playing a corner most days – like the team said. There are other SS’s out there that will not require Senzel being moved to get them. For that matter Blandino can spell Galvis at SS occasionally.
Ozuna is going back to cards and a third baseman is coming in another trade heard it on a cards site and this signing proves it.
I think it’s great the Reds are thinking outside the box, and are going with a fat second baseman…
Buck, You may be on to something. Isn’t everyone tired of seeing the short quick types at 2nd base. Just plop that big ole corn fed, husky boy Moose in the middle of the field.
Yea I just dont buy all that….then what about Winker…..Votto….. Puig was gonna destroy it there right? I dont think we add anything to him as he already has a bit much on his plate-
Gimme fat stacks on the under 350 obp thats been sprayed around here pretty liberally as well
.280/.360/.440 is what I’m thinking/hoping
I have been thinking since the Akiyama rumor first came out that it would mean Senzel would be moved. But I don’t think the Reds are ready to throw Senzel AND the farm at Lindor…which is what it would cost.
I’m wondering if Trevor Story would not be a better bet. The Rocks are trying to dump payroll and I think he’d have to be a good deal cheaper than Lindor. Not to mention probably a lot cheaper to extend. Like Lindor, Story is 2 years out of FA. And Colorado has Hampson who can step in.
I know everyone seems concerned about the Coors factor. But GABP is far from the worst place to be for a hitter. I think he’d rake in Cincy.
But have you seen his road splits? make him look awfully pedestrian… not worth the cost to get him
Shogo out and buy your Reds season tickets now