OSAKA – The Hanshin Tigers have signed 30-year-old first baseman Matt Hague to a one-year-deal, the Central League club announced Tuesday.
Hague, a right-handed hitter with 43 major league games under his belt with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, signed for an estimated ¥80 million. He hit .338 with 61 walks and 65 strikeouts in 136 games in Triple-A last season.
The Tigers have dropped outfielder Matt Murton after six seasons, but retained slugging first baseman Mauro Gomez for 2016.
Although primarily a first baseman, Hague has played 244 minor league games at third and is said to be able to play in the outfield as well.
“He’s not an extreme long-ball hitter, but the stadium sizes here are different and we believe he will adapt,” general manager Eiichi Takano said.
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