This could possibly complicate offseason plans for the Cubs, as Japanese free agent Shogo Akiyama suffered a fracture in his right foot during an exhibition game against Canada on Thursday.
The 31-year-old center fielder is an international free agent and is able to sign with anyone without teams needing to go through the posting system with his former Japanese team. Akiyama intends to seek an MLB contract this offseason and the Cubs are one team that has reportedly scouted him.
But now he’s dealing with a broken bone in his foot.
A foot fracture may not immediately sound off alarm bells for teams interested in Akiyama, but when your most valuable skills are playing good defense in center and having above average speed you don’t want to be dealing with foot injuries.
At this point we don’t know the severity of the injury only that it happened when Akiyama was hit by a pitch during Thursday’s game against Canada. Right now it’s being described as a fracture in the area of his second smallest toe in his right foot.
Hopefully for Akiyama this isn’t a big deal. As for the Cubs, there aren’t many options this offseason who can drastically improve their roster in center field. Akiyama seems like a great fit, as he plays good defense, runs well, makes a lot of contact and doesn’t strike out often.
If the Cubs do look elsewhere there’s only one other guy who I’d love for them to get, Pirates center fielder Starling Marte.
The Cubs are already being speculated as a team who might pursue a trade for Marte.
