The Hanshin Tigers will not extend infielder George Arias' contract for next season and are set to notify his agent of their decision Monday, baseball sources said.
The Tigers have decided to release the 32-year-old American, who batted .272 with 25 homers and 84 RBIs this past season, and look to Tyrone Woods to fill the void as the Central League home-run king has yet to reach an agreement on a new deal with the Yokohama BayStars.
After playing two years for the Orix BlueWave in the Pacific League, Arias played three years for the Tigers and was a key member of the pennant-winning team last season.
Woods was asked to re-sign with the BayStars for a third season but has yet to respond, despite the team having set a Saturday deadline.
On Monday, Chunichi Dragons owner Bungo Shirai quoted a ranking club official as saying the Central League champion "will go all out" to acquire the services of Woods, who shared the home run title with Tuffy Rhodes of the Yomiuri Giants.