(Reuters) - The Milwaukee Brewers have won the rights to negotiate with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Monday.
The MLB said the Brewers submitted the highest bid, which media reported to be $2.5 million, for the rights to negotiate with the 29-year-old from Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Milwaukee now has 30 days to sign Aoki to a major or minor league contract.
Akoi hit .292 with 51 runs batted in during 144 games this season. In 2010 he led the Japanese Central League with a .358 average and a career-high 209 hits.
The left-handed hitter was expected to come to Milwaukee to work out with the Brewers before a possible signing.
The move came as Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, the National League's most valuable player, was facing a 50-game suspension next season for a positive doping test. Braun has appealed the findings.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Julian Linden)
