Outgoing Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman is ''in serious negotiations'' to be the next manger of the Kansas City Royals, ESPN reported on its website Thursday.
The report did not give any details of the talks between Hillman and the Royals, who have been looking for a possible replacement for Buddy Bell. Hillman announced last month he would leave Nippon Ham at the end of its campaign this year for family reasons.
Hillman, 44, long served as manager within the New York Yankees' minor league organization before signing with Nippon Ham after the 2002 season.
Last year, he led the Fighters to their first Japan Series championship in 44 years and has just guided them to the Japanese version of the World Series for the second straight year by defeating Bobby Valentine's Lotte Marines in the second stage of the Pacific League Climax Series.
He was interviewed by the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres after the 2006 season but did not receive a formal offer from any of the major league clubs.
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