Shogo Akiyama Signs With NPB’s Hiroshima Carp

June 26: Akiyama has signed a three-year take care of the NPB’s Hiroshima Carp, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

June 20: Former Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is headed again to Japan, Akiyama himself tells Japanese media (English languagelink via the Japan Times). A report from The Manichi in Japan means that Akiyama’s former workforce, the Seibu Lions, might have a suggestion ready for him.

Initially signed by the Reds to a three-year, $21MM contract heading into the 2020 season, Akiyama was by no means in a position to replicate the star-level manufacturing he’d confirmed with the Lions over a nine-year profession in Nippon Skilled Baseball. The now-34-year-old outfielder tallied simply 366 plate appearances with Cincinnati and posted an underwhelming .224/.320/.274 batting line — a far cry from the good .301/.376/.454 batting line he posted in 9 years along with his former Seibu membership.

The Reds launched Akiyama partway via the third and ultimate season of that contract, and he rapidly landed a minor league take care of the Padres. Akiyama not too long ago opted out of that contract, nonetheless, and he tells the Japanese media that his agent knowledgeable him there have been no gives from massive league groups. Akiyama didn’t specify whether or not that meant no Main League gives or no gives in any respect, however provided that he simply hit .343/.378/.529 with three homers, two doubles, a triple and a pair of steals in 16 video games with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in El Paso, it wouldn’t be a shock if there had been different minor league alternatives obtainable.

It stays to be seen whether or not Akiyama will finally return to the Lions, signal with one other workforce in NPB, or just take the rest of the 12 months off. Nevertheless, his return and acknowledgement of an absence of MLB curiosity appears to be like to have closed the door on any near-term return to North American ball. He solely not too long ago turned 34, although, so Akiyama should produce other alternatives so as to add to a formidable assortment of accolades in Japan, the place he’s a six-time Gold Glove winner and five-time NPB All-Star.