Free-agent and veteran infielder Atsushi Kataoka said Thursday he has agreed to join the Hanshin Tigers for next season after completing four rounds of talks with the Osaka club, although details of the deal were not disclosed.
"I was born in the Kansai region and as a child, Koshien Stadium was where I first thought about wanting to play baseball. It has been a dream since then," Kataoka said.
"I'm ever so grateful to Nippon Ham for helping me develop as a player," added Kataoka, who chose the Central League club over the Nippon Ham Fighters, where he has spent the last 10 years.