The Yomiuri Giants are set to sign a two-year contract with outfielder Alex Ramirez, who was released by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows this offseason after talks on a new deal collapsed. Baseball sources said Wednesday that Yomiuri and Ramirez have come close to an agreement and the Central League club is expected to announce the deal, estimated at a total of ¥1.1 billion, next week. Ramirez and Yakult severed their ties because of the difference over financial terms on a new deal after the 33-year-old Venezuelan set a league record with 204 hits and led the league with 122 RBIs this year.