Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
OSAKA (Kyodo) The Hanshin Tigers held their first talks with Kenji Johjima in Fukuoka on Friday.
In around 90 minutes of talks, the Central League club tabled an offer to the 33-year-old catcher, who has decided to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract with the Seattle Mariners to return to Japan.
Hanshin believes that Johjima will be able to lead the team both offensively and defensively.
"We asked him to help us win a championship. I think the talks went very well," said club president Nobuo Minami, who was joined by manager Akinobu Mayumi in the negotiations.
Hanshin plans to meet Johjima again as early as next week.
"We know it's going to be a big decision for him. We'll wait for his answer for a while," Minami said.
