Reds Reportedly Emerge as Front-Runner to Sign Japanese Outfielder Shogo Akiyama
By Adam Weinrib
If the Chicago White Sox are the marginal MLB team that's improved the most this offseason, the Cincinnati Reds are firmly in second place.
After signing powerful infielder Mike Moustakas to a four-year deal (while swiping him from a division rival), and adding viable lefty Wade Miley, Cincy's not done trying to leapfrog the Cubs and Brewers in the playoff chase. Per overseas sources, 31-year-old Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama is likely to chose the Reds as well.
According to this report, the Reds have emerged as a leader to sign Shogo Akiyama. https://t.co/v6Op9sHSIg
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 26, 2019
Akiyama has been a 20-homer, .300+ bat for the past several seasons with the Seibu Lions, hitting a career-high .359 in 2015. Early indications were the slugging outfielder planned to sign "by Christmas," so it's no surprise that strong reports of his potential signing emerged late on Christmas day.
Per those in the know, Akiyama's defense in center regressed in 2019, so Cincinnati's intention remains to start Nick Senzel in center on an everyday basis, while letting their new addition float.
The Cincinnati #Reds are reportedly the top candidate to land Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama according to a new reporthttps://t.co/vX8LaAOhIS pic.twitter.com/5VjFwkXyad
— Redleg Nation (@redlegnation) December 26, 2019
Let's see if this gets finalized in the next 24 hours or so. Everything is trending towards this relationship becoming official.