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Akiyama

It’s a three-year contract for Akiyama, who will be returning to Japan, likely for the remainder of his professional career. The 34-year-old outfielder was released from a minor league contract with the Padres earlier this month after spending two seasons with the Reds.

Akiyama said that he didn’t receive any offers after being released by the Padres from his minor league contract last week. The 34-year-old outfielder is expected to sign with a team in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, most likely the Seibu Lions, where he spent the first nine years of his career.

Akiyama exercised an opt-out clause after the Padres elected not to promote him. He signed a minor league contract with the Padres back in late April and has missed a chunk of time due to COVID-19 and has played just 16 games at Triple-A El Paso.

It’s interesting, that’s for sure. There was plenty of reporting that Akiyama was interested in reuniting with the Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, but instead appears to be giving it another shot in the majors with the Padres. He’ll report to Triple-A El Paso and could be in San Diego at some point in the future. The 33-year-old outfielder holds a .224/.320/.274 triple-slash line with zero homers in 366 plate appearances in the majors since 2020.

As expected, the Reds have officially cut ties with Akiyama, who was recently informed that he would not make the team’s Opening Day roster. Cincinnati will wind up eating the $8 million left on his contract. The 33-year-old outfielder will become a free agent and could wind up finding another opportunity as a reserve outfielder.

Akiyama will have the ability to refuse his assignment to Triple-A and elect free agency if he chooses to do so. The 33-year-old has struggled since coming stateside, hitting just .224/.320/.274 with no homers, 21 RBI, nine stolen bases and a 74/39 K/BB ratio across 183 plate appearances. Perhaps a change of scenery could be just what he needs.

Akiyama (through an interpreter) told reporters, “I’m going to put last year in the rear view mirror. I have to be that player with a young core that everyone needs. I’m looking forward to it.” The 33-year-old has failed to live up to expectations since coming stateside, slashing a paltry .224/.320/.274 with no homers, 21 RBI and nine stolen bases in his first 366 plate appearances.

Akiyama has missed time due to hamstring tightness, so the injury-depleted Reds will put him on the shelf to bring in some additional outfield depth until he’s ready to return.

Akiyama has been limited due to hamstring tightness recently so Delino DeShields will take over in center field on Saturday afternoon. The Reds outfield rotation is a bit shorthanded with the trio of Akiyama, Jesse Winker (back) and Tyler Naquin (ribs) dealing with injuries.

With Akiyama apparently unavailable and Tyler Naquin (ribs) on the injured list, Jesse Winker will get a start in center field. Max Schrock is in left. It seems like it’s a day-to-day malady for Akiyama.