Free agent shortstop Takashi Toritani said Monday that his decision about whether to move to the majors or remain in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers will not be made until at least the middle of December.

Toritani, who last week won his fifth Central League Best IX Award by a landslide, said he would not be able to decide until after the baseball winter meetings, which get under way in San Diego from Dec. 8.

“(Until then) it’s not like I’ll be able to give an answer,” Toritani said at Hanshin’s team office in Hyogo Prefecture.

The shortstop is represented by agent Scott Boras, and the National League’s Washington Nationals are among the teams that have looked into acquiring the 33-year-old.

The Tigers have offered to negotiate a contract to keep him with the club.