Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes president Mitsuru Nagai said Monday that Tuffy Rhodes will not re-sign with the Pacific League club for a ninth year because the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
The 35-year-old Rhodes, who is tied to a contract with the Buffaloes until the end of the month, is expected to join the Yomiuri Giants as early as December as the Central League club is ready to give him the multiyear deal he wants.
"I didn't expect any of this to happen. It wasn't just about the term of the deal. I'm really sorry as Tuffy was the icon of the city of Osaka," Nagai said, explaining that Rhodes' agent turned down the Buffaloes' final offer Sunday.
"He chose business after all. We'd still like to do something to show our appreciation for all that he has done for the team."