Hanshin Tigers outfielders Tomoaki Kanemoto and Shinjiro Hiyama became eligible for free agency on Tuesday, the second time for both players in their careers.
Hanshin is expected to ask 38-year-old cleanup hitter Kanemoto to stay with the team, having won two Central League titles in three years since he came from the Hiroshima Carp as a free agent in 2003.
Kanemoto was named the league MVP last year after he posted a .327 average, 40 homers and 125 RBIs -- all career highs. He is batting .304 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs in 110 games this year. Hiyama declared free agency after the 2002 season and stayed with Hanshin.
The 37-year-old is struggling with a .182 average, two homers and 11 RBIs in 68 games and has lost playing time to Osamu Hamanaka.