OSAKA -- Free-agent outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo, formerly of the Hanshin Tigers, said Monday that he will join the New York Mets next season to become the second position player from Japan to try his hand in the North American major leagues.

Shinjo will reportedly receive an estimated 400 million yen in a three-year deal with last summer's National League pennant winners. Shinjo is expected to formally sign the contract in New York on Saturday.

The lanky All-Star center fielder informed Hanshin general manager Katsuyoshi Nozaki that he would join the Mets at a meeting in Osaka as the Tigers attempted to re-sign their most popular player. Shinjo, who had also talked to the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama BayStars since declaring free agency in late October, will become the 12th Japanese player to play in the majors and the second position player after Ichiro Suzuki.

Suzuki, formerly of the Orix BlueWave, signed with the Seattle Mariners two weeks ago.

"I considered a number of things, but I think I've finally found a place where I can play the kind of baseball I'm capable of. That is with the New York Mets," Shinjo said.

"The feeling that I've wanted to play at such a high level as the major leagues has grown stronger in me the last five years," the 28-year-old Fukuoka native said. "I don't know if I'll be successful or not, but I will do my best to follow my dream."

The seven-time Golden Glove winner posted personal bests this past season, batting .278 in 131 games with 28 homers and 85 RBIs for Hanshin.

Fighters keep Mirabal

The Nippon Ham Fighters have re-signed pitcher Carlos Mirabal at the baseball winter meetings in Dallas, Texas, officials of the Pacific League club said Monday.

Team president Takeshi Kojima reportedly re-signed Mirabal for $500,000, doubling the reliever's salary after the 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 48 games this past season for 19 saves against a win and three losses.

'Wave re-sign Kida

KOBE (Kyodo) Pitcher Masao Kida and his agent, Tokyo lawyer Kenichiro Hayashida, reached an agreement Monday with the Orix BlueWave for a deal potentially worth 100 million yen next season.

Kida rejoined the Pacific League club in June after being waived by the Detroit Tigers.

Kida appeared in 24 games for Orix, pitching 41 1/3 innings mostly in relief for a 3-3 record and three saves.

Shibahara rewarded

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) The Pacific League champion Daiei Hawks gave outfielder Hiroshi Shibahara a 40 million yen raise Monday to make the local favorite the fastest Hawk to reach the 100 million yen level in salary.

Shibahara re-signed for 110 million yen after batting .310 in his fourth season with the Hawks with 78 runs scored.