New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips said the National League club will continue pursuing Japanese free agent Norihiro Nakamura as its top candidate for third base next season.
"I think we have a shot with it. We'll pursue this one without hesitation and if we have to do something else, we'll do it later," the official Mets Web site on Wednesday quoted Phillips as saying of their bid for Nakamura.
Nakamura will choose between the Mets, Hanshin Tigers and Kintetsu Buffaloes.
Both Japanese clubs offered him six-year deals worth over 3 billion yen. The Web site said Nakamura "is believed to have received a two-year, $6 million offer from the Mets."