The Reds sign Japanese star Shogo Akiyama to a three-year contract:

 Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams Monday announced that free agent OF Shogo Akiyama has agreed to terms on a 3-year, $21-million contract through the 2022 season. The contract includes salaries of $6 million in 2020, $7 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2022.

“We scouted Shogo for several years in anticipation of his free agency,” Williams said. “We like his approach at the plate as well as his outfield defense, and we think he will complement our team very well.”

FoxSports.com

The money indicates the Reds expect him to be less than a one WAR player. In looking at his swing:

He reminds me of Ichiro, but with more power. He looks like a player who drags his bat through the strike zone, which gives him more of a chance to make contact. Think Derek Jeter and Tony Gwynn. If he does manage to make a lot of contact in MLB, he might approach 200 hits.

He is not young, already in this 30s, but given the money, he’s well worth the risk.