A bit from Nikkan Sports started bouncing around this afternoon apparently announcing that the Reds and Shogo Akiyama are consummating a deal for three years and $16 million. I’ve been an unapologetic fan of Shogo Akiyama for literally almost two months. At the beginning of the offseason, I dug around for potential Nippon Professional Baseball players who might make the jump to MLB and Shogo Akiyama was tops on my list. Here’s what I said back then:
“Shogo is a free agent, unlike the previous three players mentioned. That means he does not have to navigate the posting system and he is free to sign with whatever team he chooses.