The Chiba Lotte Marines said Tuesday they have confirmed that Bobby Valentine will continue to manage the Pacific League club next season. Valentine has accepted an offer made Sunday by acting owner Akio Shigemitsu and club president Ryuzo Setoyama, denying the possibility that he will become a major league club manager next year. "He has been leading the team really well this year," Setoyama said. "We never know what's going to happen in the offseason, but we believe he will stay with us." In 2005, the former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager guided Lotte to its first Japan Series title in 31 years. It will be the third year of his current four-year contract with Lotte.
