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I’ve been 100% on board with the Cubs signing Japanese free agent Shogo Akiyama. He can play center field (the Cubs wouldn’t be interested if they didn’t think he was at least average defensively) has great contact skills and gets on base a lot. His success at the plate isn’t predicated by slugging and Akiyama’s addition will diversify the Cubs offense, which is one of their goals this offseason.
The Cubs have scouted Akiyama, have him on their radar and on Monday 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine reported that Akiyama’s asking price is in the vicinity of three years for $15 million.
OK, cool. Now, of course there are arguments that signing Akiyama isn’t worth the risk because his defense and speed may not be as great as first advertised and there’s always the concern of how Japanese players will hit MLB pitching. Fair. But I would still roll the dice on Shogo.
There are a few more Japanese players who are also available through the posting system this offseason and according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times the Cubs are interested in one of them in addition to Akiyama.
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Via the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Diamondbacks have been linked to Akiyama, but he’s one of at least two Japanese free agents on the Cubs’ radar — and by far the better fit for a team making a priority out of both his position and his skill set at the plate. Even at an estimated price tag that might be as reasonable as $5 million or so per year for maybe three years, it could make a full-speed pursuit something the Cubs have to put on hold until gaining more clarity with their payroll flexibility.
LOL at the thought of the Cubs having to wait on other moves to maybe afford Akiyama at $5 million per season. But let’s focus on Wittenmyer’s first point, “(Akiyama’s) one of at least two Japanese free agents on the Cubs’ radar.”
Hmmm, the Cubs are interested in at least one more Japanese free agent? Besides Akiyama, the three other available players from Japan through the posting system are left-handed slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, infield defensive stud Ryosuke Kikuchi and right-handed pitcher Shun Yamaguchi.
Tsutsugo was posted Monday and teams have until Dec. 19, to agree on a deal to sign him.
But the fit just doesn’t make sense. Tsutsugo’s only playable defensive position would be left field, as he’s viewed more as a traditional DH. He’s put up good power numbers in Japan, averaging almost 35 home runs during the past four years and slugging .575 in those four seasons. Yet, Tsutsugo strikes out more than the average hitter in the NPB and you’d think those would increase facing MLB pitching, while the power would go down.
The Cubs have Kyle Schwarber. There’s no need to add Tsutsugo and it just doesn’t make sense when the Cubs want to improve their overall outfield defense. Just re-sign Nick Castellanos if that’s the case.
As for Kikuchi, his defense is elite at second base, but there’s not much on offense to like. He doesn’t walk much, hasn’t hit for power in Japan and simply doesn’t project to be a starter in MLB. Why would the Cubs want to add another back-up at best to their roster?
And then there’s Yamaguchi. You can’t ever have too much pitching, but with Yamaguchi’s fastball only clocking in the low 90s, he also doesn’t seem like a fit for the Cubs who are in search of some power arms.
So, yeah, hard pass on that trio. All in on Shogo.
