The Hanshin Tigers will trade outfielder Osamu Hamanaka to the Orix Buffaloes in exchange for infielder Keiichi Hirano and another player, baseball sources said Monday. Both sides reached an agreement as Hanshin had been searching for an agile utility player while Orix was in the market for a right-handed power hitter. The teams were scheduled to make an announcement later Monday. Hanshin left-hander Makoto Yoshino and Orix right-hander Kenta Abe are also part of the exchange. Hamanaka, 29, joined Hanshin in 1997 as a No. 3 pick in the draft.
