The Hanshin Tigers have reached a basic agreement to sign switch-hitting infielder Brooks Conrad, who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays this season, team general manager Katsuhiro Nakamura said on Sunday.
The 32-year-old Conrad, who played 49 games as a second baseman with Tampa Bay and Milwaukee this year, is expected to sign formally with the Tigers sometime in December.
"It will be important that he be able to play first or third base. We like the fact that he's a switch hitter," said Nakamura.
Conrad has a .207 batting average with 18 home runs and 71 RBIs over five years in the major leagues.