ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are going into business with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Texas announced a multiyear partnership with the Nippon Professional Baseball club that will encompass both baseball and business operations.
The clubs will exchange scouting reports and other baseball operations information. In addition, the Fighters will have a member of their baseball staff work in the Rangers' system as an instructor. Rangers personnel will also travel to Japan to observe the Fighters' operation.
The two teams will also share information as they both construct new ballparks. The Fighters announced plans to build a new stadium in Sapporo that will be similar to the Rangers' future new ballpark and will also included a mixed-use entertainment district.
"This agreement will allow us to share baseball information and instruction techniques that should be very beneficial to both organizations," Rangers president of baseball operations and general manager Jon Daniels said. "There is also common ground in the fact that both franchises are in the process of building new ballparks. We look forward to working with the Hokkaido group in what will be a very productive partnership."
The Fighters, who play in the Pacific League, won their third Japanese Series championship in 2016. Yu Darvish, Shohei Ohtani and former Rangers reliever Yoshinori Tateyama have all played for the Fighters. The Rangers recently signed reliever Chris Martin after he spent the past two years pitching for the Fighters.
"The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters are proud to announce the brand new official business partnership with one of the greatest organizations in MLB, Texas Rangers," said Hokkaido general manager Hiroshi Yoshimura. "We are looking forward to being actively involved in a broad range of fields, including sharing scouting information, personnel exchanges, and mutual cooperation in many different business aspects, including our new stadium. We are hoping this new partnership will help make huge strides and further development for both clubs."