The Chiba Lotte Marines are in the final stages of tapping head coach Norifumi Nishimura as manager Bobby Valentine's successor for next season, club officials said Saturday.
The 49-year-old Nishimura's promotion is expected to be announced after the 2009 season upon the approval of owner Takeo Shigemitsu.
Lotte has already decided not to offer Valentine a contract extension after his current four-year contract expires at the end of the season.
The team appears to have stopped short of bringing someone from outside of the team since Japanese baseball has seen successes from those who have coaching experience within respective organizations.
Last year, Hisanobu Watanabe guided the Seibu Lions to the Japan Series title as a rookie manager after being promoted from farm team manager.