Sports Hochi reported Wednesday, citing official sources, that the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League are in basic agreement on a contract with 32-year-old outfielder Jerry Sands, who led the Korean Baseball Organization with 113 RBIs this year for the Kiwoom Heroes.

Sands failed to stick with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 23-year-old corner outfielder / first baseman after playing 61 games in 2011. He put together a solid if unspectacular Triple-A career before ending up in South Korea in 2018. This year, the 1.93-meter Sands hit 28 home runs, while batting .305, drawing 77 walks and scoring 100 runs with very small home-road splits.

In his Triple-A career, Sands posted a .362 on-base percentage in 1,576 career at-bats with the bulk of that coming as a youngster in Albuquerque in 2011 and 2012.

In addition to the Dodgers, Sands played in the majors for the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. He also played one winter in Puerto Rico.

According to the Hochi report, his deal is expected to be completed this month.

According to Bill James‘ Win Shares formulas, the Tigers’ offense was 10th among 12 NPB teams in 2019, while their pitching was 3rd. The club has since signed former major leaguer Justin Bour.