There is certainly no center field upgrades to speak of in free agency. With Starling Marte likely to be retained by the Pittsburgh Pirates, if the Cincinnati Reds wish to move Nick Senzel to the infield and upgrade the outfield, it’ll have to be through a trade. Or, the Reds could go a different route and sign Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama.
The Reds are the only Major League Baseball team to have never had a Japan-born player on their roster. That could change this season if the front office wishes to pursue Akiyama. An outfielder for the Seibu Lions, Akiyama declared his intention on Tuesday to pursue a career in the major leagues.