BayStars break off talks with Kudo

YOKOHAMA — The newly named Yokohama DeNA BayStars' talks with former Seibu Lions pitcher Kimiyasu Kudo regarding managing the team have broken down, general manager Shigeru Takada said Monday.

"We just couldn't create a trusting relationship between the manager and general manager," Takada said, explaining that he and Kudo were unable to agree on issues such as the acquisition of players.

The 48-year-old Kudo, who has no managerial experience, had shown a positive stance regarding accepting the manager's job.

Last week, Japanese baseball owners approved mobile phone game operator DeNA Co. as owner of the BayStars, who have finished last in the Central League for four years in a row and eight times in the last 10 seasons.

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