Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama, a contact hitter with excellent on-base skills, has been on the Cubs’ radar since announcing that he wanted to test the MLB waters in free agency. In addition to addressing their needs in center and at the top of the lineup, Akiyama was also expected to fit within a limited budget that may have the Cubs shying away from what figures to be a fairly reasonable deal for Nicholas Castellanos.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Akiyama is “seeking a three-year deal in the vicinity of $15 million” and the Cubs are indeed one of four or five teams interested.