OSAKA -- Free-agent outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo, formerly of the Hanshin Tigers, said Monday that he will join the New York Mets next season to become the second position player from Japan to try his hand in the North American major leagues.
Shinjo will reportedly receive an estimated 400 million yen in a three-year deal with last summer's National League pennant winners. Shinjo is expected to formally sign the contract in New York on Saturday.
The lanky All-Star center fielder informed Hanshin general manager Katsuyoshi Nozaki that he would join the Mets at a meeting in Osaka as the Tigers attempted to re-sign their most popular player. Shinjo, who had also talked to the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama BayStars since declaring free agency in late October, will become the 12th Japanese player to play in the majors and the second position player after Ichiro Suzuki.