04-04-2022, 02:10 PM
On news that Reds are NOT putting Akiyama on Major League Roster. He has never hit an American MLB homer and this Spring his BA and OBP are .182 and too many others are playing better.
The good news for him is that he can refuse going to Minors at age 34 and go back to Japan and play where he is treated like a Rock Star Super Star. The good news for Reds if he quits and goes home, I would think Reds don't have to pay rest of his contract. I see it as a WIN/ WIN for both Akiyama and Reds.
As for those who rave about his glove, Billy Hamilton was better with a glove. At some point you have to get on base. The Reds just opened up a spot for all these players with good OBP this Spring such as Schrock with an amazing BA and OBP over .600 and many other Hitters and Pitchers for Reds who just out played Akiyama.
I posted elsewhere on this. Dorothy would say, " There is no place like Home ". ET, Phone Home. All Akiyama at age 34 has to do is go back to Japan and play instead of going to Reds Minors. He will be treated like a Super Star every place he goes in Japan, and he won't get that here. Japan will roll out The Red Carpet as he gets off the plane on his return to play in Japan, and that isn't all that bad for him.
With Castellano, Winker and Suarez gone, this was not the time to play a guy with a .182 BA and OBP this Spring, and no home run power. The Reds can try other players, and this 34 year old can go Home and play where he is treated like a Super Star.
The good news for him is that he can refuse going to Minors at age 34 and go back to Japan and play where he is treated like a Rock Star Super Star. The good news for Reds if he quits and goes home, I would think Reds don't have to pay rest of his contract. I see it as a WIN/ WIN for both Akiyama and Reds.
As for those who rave about his glove, Billy Hamilton was better with a glove. At some point you have to get on base. The Reds just opened up a spot for all these players with good OBP this Spring such as Schrock with an amazing BA and OBP over .600 and many other Hitters and Pitchers for Reds who just out played Akiyama.
I posted elsewhere on this. Dorothy would say, " There is no place like Home ". ET, Phone Home. All Akiyama at age 34 has to do is go back to Japan and play instead of going to Reds Minors. He will be treated like a Super Star every place he goes in Japan, and he won't get that here. Japan will roll out The Red Carpet as he gets off the plane on his return to play in Japan, and that isn't all that bad for him.
With Castellano, Winker and Suarez gone, this was not the time to play a guy with a .182 BA and OBP this Spring, and no home run power. The Reds can try other players, and this 34 year old can go Home and play where he is treated like a Super Star.
1968 Bengal Fan
