Japan's Fighters sign Padre Sledge: official
TOKYO (AFP) — Pacific League champions the Nippon Ham Fighters have signed San Diego Padres outfielder Terrmel Sledge, the Japanese club said Wednesday.
The 30-year-old left-hander, whose future at San Diego was in question, will earn a reported 2.85 million dollars in the two-year deal, the club said in a statement.
Sledge had a .247 batting average with 25 homers and 100 RBIs in his four seasons in the Major Leagues, which included stints with the former Montreal Expos and the Washington Nationals.
The Fighters, based in the northern city of Sapporo, won the Pacific League championship for the past two seasons under Trey Hillman, who was named manager of the Kansas City Royals in October.
The Fighters won the Japan League championship last year but failed to defend it this season to the Chunichi Dragons.
