The Yokohama BayStars are expected to decide whether or not to release infielder Bobby Rose next week after both sides failed to narrow their differences over a new contract, Yokohama officials said Friday.
Yokohama general manager Yoshio Noguchi said the Central League team "would like to reach a conclusion" by Wednesday when Japanese baseball clubs will have to start paying allowances to players still in contract negotiations for this year. Earlier in the day, Yokohama told Rose's agent that no trade offers been made for the 1999 CL batting champion and RBI leader who announced his retirement in October following a contract dispute with the BayStars' front office.
After Rose drew interest from some other CL clubs, Yokohama put Rose on its reserve list in late November and began negotiations on a new deal but has found it difficult to keep the 33-year-old second baseman in its uniform. The 33-year-old Rose is reportedly seeking a two-year deal while Yokohama, which has also been considering a trade, is willing to offer only a one-year pact.
Rose, who earned an estimated 360 million yen in salary in 2000, was a major factor in Yokohama's drive for the pennant in 1998 -- its first CL championship in 38 years -- and the Japan Series crown.