Nyjer Morgan signs with Yokohama BayStars

Former Pirates, Nationals, and Brewers' outfielder Nyjer Morgan has signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japanese Pacific League, per the Associated Press:

Free-agent outfielder Nyjer Morgan has signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Central League.

The team says the 32-year-old Morgan will join the BayStars on a one-year-deal worth $1.6 million.

Morgan was a polarizing figure in his six big-league seasons, his off-the-field personality -- as his eccentric alter-ego T. Plush -- often endearing him to fans early on but then wearing thin over time as his on-field performance underwhelmed.

Traded away by the Nats prior to the 2011 season, Morgan found success in his first year with Milwaukee, helping lead the Brew Crew to the NLCS by hitting .304/.357/.421 with 30 extra-base hits during the regular season. Things did not go quite as well for Morgan last year, as he batted just .239/.302/.308 in 122 games and was outrighted to Triple-A following the season.

Morgan made $2.35 million in his final year with the Brewers so will take a bit of a pay cut to go to Japan, but it is unlikely he would have received that kind of guaranteed money or even a major-league contract from any MLB club.