Kiro Osafune, head of the selection committee for the Japan national baseball team, said Friday he has offered Senichi Hoshino the manager's job for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and received a positive response from the former Hanshin Tigers skipper.
"I asked him in November 'what do you think, do you fancy Beijing?' and although it wasn't a formal offer I got a good response (from Hoshino)," said Osafune.
Hoshino admitted he was honored to have been approached for the post but said would wait until he receives an offer from officials on the professional side of the committee before reaching a decision.
"Obviously I am honored but I am on the pro side and cannot give a yes or no until I have been approached by pro people within the committee," said Hoshino.
"I don't consider this an official offer and there is no room for what-ifs."
CHIBA (Kyodo) The Chiba Lotte Marines announced the acquisition of left-hander Wu Si-yo from Taiwan's La New Bears on Friday. Lotte manager Bobby Valentine and club president Ryuzo Setoyama signed a two-year contract with Wu in Taipei earlier in the day for a signing bonus of 40 million yen and a first-year annual salary of 30 million yen. Lotte has a club option for a third year.