Tigers, Marines Close Deal
It won't turn either team into an instant contender or provide a huge franchise shakeup, but the <Hanshin Tigers:team#288> and <Chiba Marines:team#281> finalized a trade today. <Hanshin:team#288> will send 25-year-old left fielder <Germán Limón:player#14499> to the Marines, while the Tigers will receive 27-year-old reliever <Hirotaka Ayugai:player#7157>. "We think this is a deal that will help out both teams and we're glad to get it done," said the Tigers general manager). The trade is expected to be officially completed later today with the players to join their new ball clubs by the end of the day.

Limón is hitting .230 this year with 7 home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He has 37 hits in 161 at-bats, 14 walks and a .291 on-base percentage. <Limón:player#14499> has played in 51 games.

So far this season, in 24 relief appearances <Ayugai:player#7157> has compiled an ERA of 2.90. He has pitched 49.2 innings, struck out 24, walked 18 and registered 1 save.