Agbayani reunited
with old Mets bossBenny lands in Japan
after passing a tryout for
his former NY manager
Valentine
TOKYO >> Former New York Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani has signed a one-year deal with the Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.
The 31-year-old Agbayani, a native of Hawaii, passed a tryout with the Marines and signed a contract worth $460,000, Lotte general manager Tomoichi Kitakawa said today.
Agbayani, who played ball at Saint Louis School and Hawaii Pacific University, will be reunited with former New York manager Bobby Valentine, who managed the Mets from 1996 to 2002.
With the signing of Agbayani, the Marines have decided not to pursue outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who played for the Mets in 2001.
The Nikkan Sports newspaper reported today that Shinjo is close to signing a deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters, who are managed by American Trey Hillman.
