General manager Kenji Ono said Monday the Seibu Lions do not intend to exercise the posting system and put up Kazuo Matsui for auction for a chance to play in the major leagues next season.
Recent reports have linked Matsui with a possible move to the majors before the 2003 season, but Ono said he will meet the 27-year-old infielder Tuesday to tell him the club is not willing to let him go.
Ono also said he will try and persuade Matsui to remain with the Pacific League club even after earning the right to become a free agent next year.
"We don't want to ever let him go," said Ono, hinting Seibu may tempt Matsui with a multiyear deal at the meeting.
As leadoff hitter for the Japanese All-Star squad in the seven-game exhibition series against major league stars, Matsui went 11-for-26.
Lions, 'Stars swing deal
The Pacific League champion Seibu Lions have traded two players, including catcher Satoshi Nakajima, for two Yokohama BayStars players, officials of both clubs said Tuesday.
Nakajima, the PL club's reserve catcher behind Tsutomu Ito, and southpaw Hisaki Tomioka were dealt for right-hander and 1996 top draft pick Kazushi Hosomi and infielder Yoshihito Ishii.
New man in Hiroshima
HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) Southpaw Alan Newman agreed to a one-year contract with the Hiroshima Carp, officials of the CL club said Monday.
Newman spent the past two years with the Swallows.