Oakland Athletics sign shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima

The Oakland Athletics have filled their hole at shortstop, with the signing of Hiroyuki Nakajima out of Japan. The As have issued a press release saying there will be a major announcement Tuesday, so thats likely when theyll officially announce the deal.Nakajima, 30, hit .311/.382/.451 with 29 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 74 RBI, 69 runs and seven stolen bases last season for the Saitama Seibu Lions in the Japan Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Nakajima’s case is pretty interesting, as he tested the Major League Baseball waters last season. The Yankees had the highest bid in the posting system. The two sides were never able to agree upon a deal, however, so Nakajima returned to Japan on a one-year deal.This time around, Nakajima was an international free agent, so there was no need for the As to pay a posting fee.Considering the As had a gaping hole at short, expect Nakajima to immediately be slated as the everyday starter.

He’ll likely hit toward the bottom of the order and be depended upon as a reliable glove man.Its worth noting here that As general manager Billy Beane made a nice snag in international free agency last season, when he added Cuban import Yoenis Cespedes, who was runner-up in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Mike Trout of the Angels.

via Athletics sign shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima – CBSSports.com.