Yokohama BayStars closer Marc Kroon will not return to the Central League club next season after talks on a new deal broke down, Yokohama said Friday. Both sides failed to narrow their differences throughout their talks as Kroon sought a two-year contract and would not budge in the face of a compromise offer from Yokohama, which offered the injury-prone fastballer a one-year deal in principle with a club option. "It's disappointing that he will leave after three seasons with us," Yokohama baseball operations official Tadanori Murakami said. "We want to take the next step soon," Murakami said, indicating the BayStars will soon make a move to acquire a relief pitcher capable of replacing him in the closer's role.
