Hanshin Tigers general manager Katsuhiro Nakamura said Wednesday that the Central League club is ready to spend on free agent right-hander Chihiro Kaneko, but will not break the bank to bring in this year’s Sawamura Award winner.

“We’ve put it (an offer) together, and it’s pretty much set,” Nakamura said. “Now we are planning to pitch it to him.

“It’s substantial but it won’t be unlimited. We’ll wait and see how he responds to it. We aren’t thinking this is going to be final.”

Kaneko led the Pacific League in wins and earned run average for the Orix Buffaloes, who finished a very close second in the pennant race but were eliminated in the first stage of the PL playoffs. The Tigers also finished second, but advanced to the Japan Series through the playoffs before losing in five games.

Meanwhile, Orix president Hiroaki Nishina told reporters he expects the pitcher to deliberate carefully.

“It’s in his character to think things over slowly,” Nishina said. “He’s the type who won’t decide until he’s satisfied.”

Kaneko updated his blog the same day, saying he is negotiating with multiple domestic clubs.

“I’m still considering and am uncertain,” his new blog entry said.