Newly appointed manager Dusty Baker said he is considering Tsuyoshi Shinjo as a possible candidate to fill the Chicago Cubs' roster for next season, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.
Baker mentioned Shinjo, who played for Baker's San Francisco Giants this year but was released last month, as a "fourth outfielder" in his plans for 2003. His offseason shopping list also includes free agent pitchers Shawn Estes and Omar Daal.
In Texas, a local newspaper reported the Texas Rangers are also interested in acquiring the 30-year-old Japanese outfielder.
The Dallas Morning News, quoting major league sources, said in its Thursday edition that the American League club considers him an "option" to fill the gap in center field.
The Rangers "will not be splurging on any big-ticket items to plug their various holes . . . One of those holes is center field," the daily said, but indicated Shinjo can only be an "insurance" for Carl Everett, who the Rangers hope will rebound from a dismal season.
Shinjo became the first Japanese to play in the World Series in his second year in the major leagues but was released by San Francisco after spending the second half of the season mostly as a late-inning defensive replacement.
The Giants said at the time of his release that they "wanted to give Shinjo a chance to find a starting job."