CHIBA (Kyodo) The Chiba Lotte Marines are to open negotiations with infielder Tadahito Iguchi, according to the Pacific League club.

Lotte team president Ryuzo Setoyama is set to visit Iguchi, who has a wealth of experience in the major leagues, at his training base in Okinawa for talks scheduled for Wednesday.

Lotte in December expressed interest in acquiring Iguchi, who won a World Series ring with the Chicago White Sox in his rookie year in 2005, later joining the Philadelphia Phillies.

Iguchi began last season with the San Diego Padres but was left out of their plans after suffering a shoulder injury in June. In early September, the 34-year-old rejoined the Phillies, where he was not eligible for the postseason roster and finished the season with a combined .232 batting average with two homers and 24 RBIs in 85 games.