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The Saitama Seibu Lions announced they signed OF Mark Payton for the 2023 season.
Payton, 31, last played for the Chicago White Sox and appeared in only eight MLB games in 2022. With the Charlotte Knights, their AAA affiliate, he had a slashline of .293/.369/.539 with 25 HRs in 119 games.
He was a Rule 5 draft pick twice in his career, once at the minor league level by the Oakland Athletics in 2018 and a second time at the MLB level by the Cincinnati Reds in 2019. He also spent time with the New York Mets organization at the AAA level after a trade.
After doing well with in AAA with the Las Vegas Aviators while in the Oakland Athletics organization in 2019, some thought he was worthy enough for a call up, but the A's outfield blocked his chances due to Ramón Laureano, Mark Canha, Stephen Piscotty and Robbie Grossman on the roster.
Payton's professional career initially began with the New York Yankees organization as a 7th round draft pick in 2014 out of college.
With the Lions outfield having uncertainty and a revolving door, they hope to find stability with Payton being an everyday player. He'll get the opportunity right away in the outfield along with rookie Takuya Hiruma.
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