Veteran Hanshin Tigers outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto said Sunday he intends to sign a new deal with the Central League team after filing for free agency.
Kanemoto, known for his ongoing endurance streak of consecutive game appearances without missing an inning, said he plans to declare free agency before Tuesday's deadline but ruled out the possibility of negotiating a deal with any other team.
The 38-year-old cleanup hitter batted .303 and led the team with 26 homers and 98 RBIs in 2006. He has stretched his streak of playing every inning of every regular-season game to a record 1,042.
Meanwhile, Yomiuri Giants infielder Hiroki Kokubo is set to file for free agency amid speculation that he will likely return to the Softbank Hawks, whom he played for until 2003, after three years with the Tokyo club.
The 35-year-old told reporters that he plans to file Monday or Tuesday following a disappointing season that limited him to 88 games with a .256 average, 19 homers and 55 RBIs.