Akiyama's time in Cincinnati was a disaster

 

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Shogo Akiyama in MLB is likely no more. 

On Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds brass informed Akiyama that he would not be on the team as they will designate him for assignment. He will either accept playing in minor leagues or become a free agent outright. The Reds will pay him $8 million in 2022 regardless of his status with the team.

With this transaction, Akiyama's with the Reds turned out to be the worst case scenario in hindsight. 

After earning international free agency, he signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Reds, becoming the first Japanese-born player in team history.

However, there plenty of red flags, no pun intended with this pickup due to the team having other agendas.

At the time of the signing, the Reds already had Nick Castellanos, Nick Senzel and Jesse Winker already established in the outfield. We said it was a crowded situation.

He made his MLB debut as a pinch hitter with a timely base hit in 2020, but it appeared that David Bell felt no use for him otherwise, as he saw a good chunk of games that year due to injuries. 

His second half was promising as it helped the Reds reach a playoff spot in an expanded field. With a slashlines of .333/.474/.857 in the last 22 games, it was promising.

Akiyama fell off in 2021 with a reduced rule as Castellanos and Winker had MVP caliber seasons. He mostly came off the bench with only 33 starts and 61 appearances for the year. 

Things were already dark for Akiyama as his wife had a serious accident involving a fallen tree before the 2021 season began. 

Not much can be said about what Akiyama did, other than become an older player with no upside. Why did the Reds make this signing? For depth? To finally have a Japanese-born player after whiffing in the past?

As 2021 progressed, it felt like Bell and General Manager Nick Krall had no attachment or connection to Akiyama as if someone else in the office preferred him when signing. It's likely a previous regime wanted him to play and it was clear all involved don't work for the Reds anymore. Akiyama was just someone inherited. 

It was rather surprising he received a three-year contract as opposed to the two-year one that Yoshitomo Tsutsugo got from the Tampa Bay Rays. 

This signing was rather aggressive from the Reds, but it made no sense from a team standpoint due to their roster construction.

Now that the Reds have sold off their assets and will likely rebuild, Akiyama had no figure plans and only playing him would hinder someone else's development for the long run.

It's very telling that the Reds would eat $8 million despite the owner Bob Castellini having a cheap reputation. Simply put, Akiyama wasn't good enough and it was best to move on.

We can only hope the Saitama Seibu Lions can bring him back once he becomes a free agent and clears waivers. 

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