Yomiuri Giants player-coach Yoshinobu Takahashi said Monday he has been asked to manage the storied Central League club.
"As a player, I was putting myself into a mode of next season, so it came as quite a surprise," said the 40-year-old Takahashi, who indicated he had yet to respond to the team's request.
"I'm not opposed to the idea. It's a great honor. I just want to thoroughly search my inner thoughts and then respond as quickly as possible."