This isn’t something that we would normally post, but given that for the last 3-4 days it’s been something that’s come up in the comments, on facebook, on twitter – and even via email from a few readers wondering why the Cincinnati Reds haven’t announced the deal with Shogo Akiyama yet – here’s an update from Nikkan Sports: He’s on his way to Cincinnati now. Once he arrives he’ll have to undergo a physical, but assuming he passes, he will sign his contract. Nikkan Sports is reporting that it’s a 3-year deal worth $20M+.
The timing from when he deal was reportedly agreed upon to today hasn’t been a quick one. That, of course, has a lot to do with circumstance. The deal was reportedly agreed upon right before the new year, on December 30th/31st (it was the 31st in Japan, while it was the 30th in Cincinnati – TIME TRAVEL ALERT). With the “holiday”, if you will, it wasn’t going to be an immediate announcement. Team employees, including the team doctor, probably weren’t rushing into work on January 1st for all that goes into formalizing the deal when it could simply wait a few days. Toss in the fact that it also requires travel from halfway around the world, as Shogo Akiyama was in Japan, and well – here we are.
In the last week we’ve gotten a chance to take a look at a few different projection systems and how they feel about Akiyama’s transition to Major League Baseball. Earlier today we wrote about what Dan Szymborski’s ZiPS projection system had to say.
The ZiPS projections were solid, particularly given the contract that Shogo Akiyama is expected to sign. They project a league average starter in 2020, with small steps backwards in the following two years.
Earlier in the week we got a chance to see two other projections – one from ClayDavenport.com and the other from Rotowire. They were both a bit more friendly when it came to projecting the bat for the Reds first Japanese born player.
And while we are linking to all of the Shogo Akiyama things here at Redleg Nation, if you haven’t had a chance to listen to Redleg Nation Radio this week with Chad Dotson and Bill Lack, go give it a listen. They dive into the signing among several other things in the latest episode.
After this, if the Reds can deal for Lindor or Story for less than what’s been reported,
I think that’s an option. I think the other option is to resign Iglesias and I think there’s a strong argument to be made that with Iglesias and Galvis, we have strong defense and, because of substitutions, the extra outfield bats can be utilized more easily. (Scenario: Galvis started at short stop. There is a left handed relief pitcher and the Reds have men on. Ervin hits for Galvis and then Iglesias enters enters the game at SS.)
After signing Iglesias (assuming Lindor or Story are a bridge too far), I think the rest of the off season is needs to be aimed at relievers.
Agree 100%
Signing Iglesias would not upgrade the shortstop position. I think too many fell in love with Iglesias because he had a few hits the same way the fell in love with Peraza after his great half year but a below average hitter is still below average hitter. That signing would no where near come close to “”getting the hitting” or increasing the payroll. If you are going for it, then go for it. No half measures.
Scott C you also need to be smart. The actual asking price for Lindor was never stated, Heyman posted that the Indians like Senzel (who wouldn’t like Senzel?) What if the asking price was actually Castillo?
Signing Iglesias may well upgrade the position because he is such an outstanding fielder. Shortstop is a key defensive posiiton, and the Reds, uncharacteristically, are something like a pitching-first team. Ask the pitchers whether they’d like to see Iglesias out there. The timely and unexpected hitting was a bonus.
Amarillo, Lindor, although is my preference, is not the only SS out there that would be an upgrade. Greenmtred, if Iglesisa’s defense is so valuable why hasn’t another team signed him already. This is the second year in a row he is an unsigned free agent. Again he is not an upgrade over last year. He was last year. He is not “getting the hitting.” That is what I am saying.
Aren’t most of the relievers are gone, so maybe a trade.
Iglesias signed today with the Orioles.
Scott C.: A moot point now, because Igleisas signed with the Orioles, but the delay in signing him could have been because of negotiations. Could have been simply a matter of which teams needed a shortstop.
Interesting that Nikkan Sports is reporting a three-year deal worth 20M+. That would mean (based on his estimated value of $10M for two years by MLBTradeRumors.com) there was some rather spirited competition for Akiyama, and the Reds decided to do what was needed. It will also be interesting to see if the third year is a team option year, as the final year in the Moustakas and Miley contracts are.
This year, MLBTradeRumors.com, has been low on the vast majority of FAs
Seems baseball is scared of a strike, and trying to get there ship in order.
Just saying.
MLBTradeRumors was simply going on what the market had done the past 2 seasons.
I have been surprised by just how high some of the deals have gone.
C. Trent Rosecrans just reported that the physical has been completed today. No official announcements yet.
No Daniel Hudson, no Jose Iglesias.
It’s official, 3 years, $21 million.
Iglesias signed with Baltimore. Package Senzel, Tyler, Galvis and a minor league player. They will take it. They didn’t get much for Kluber.