According to Sanspo.com, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League are close to an agreement with Bryan LaHair. LaHair was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, but it was reported that the club was trying to find an opportunity for him in Japan. Former Cubs Matt Murton, Bobby Scales and Micah Hoffpauir have also played in Japan in recent seasons.

Cubs designated 1B/OF Bryan LaHair for assignment. The 2012 All-Star fell apart at the seams following a hot start to the season and was firmly planted on the bench for most of the second half. The Cubs are currently trying to find an opportunity for him in Japan.

Bryan LaHair homered in the second and singled in the winning run in the ninth as the Cubs edged the Astros 5-4 on Wednesday. The Cubs salvaged the finale and sent the Astros to their franchise record 107th loss (they lost 106 games last year). LaHair hit his 18th homer today in his first start since Sept. 20 and just his third in a month. He'll likely be traded this winter. An AL team could use him as a platoon first baseman or DH.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum hopes Bryan LaHair will play winter ball again this offseason. An All-Star this year, LaHair has received just 90 at-bats in the second half and is hitting an ugly .207/.275/.310 since May 16. "For his sake, I think he needs to play winter ball again and get the at-bats he's missed out on and be ready for spring training like he was this year," Sveum said. LaHair might be a trade candidate this winter, as Sveum added that it "goes unsaid" that playing time will be hard to come by for him again in 2013.

Bryan LaHair will be used as a bench player moving forward. LaHair was already pushed to right field following the call-up of Anthony Rizzo, but he's bench-bound now that Brett Jackson is up in the big leagues. "It's obviously frustrating. I'm not happy about it," said LaHair, who was named to the National League All-Star team last month. But I'm not going to hold my head down or stop working or do anything like that. I'm just going to stay ready and prepare for the next opportunity I get." LaHair started out red-hot this season, but he's batting just .203 with four home runs, a .578 OPS and a 70/17 K/BB ratio over 194 plate appearances since May 16. He should have been discarded in most mixed leagues already.

Bryan LaHair went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. Both hits were singles. LaHair hasn't exactly fallen off the face of the earth since his hot start, but has homered just four times in 37 games since June 1. He's hitting .248 in that timespan. If he's dealt before the July 31 non-waive deadline, it will likely be for spare parts, and to bolster someone's bench.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs "will listen" for offers on Bryan LaHair. LaHair is cost-controlled for the next several years and has been quite productive this season, so the Cubs aren't necessarily going to be pushing him out the door. The 29-year-old is batting .293/.371/.536 with 14 home runs and 12 doubles in 70 games.

Bryan LaHair is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Mets. LaHair is taking a seat against left-hander Jon Niese. Jeff Baker will make the start in right field.

Bryan LaHair is starting in right field Monday against the White Sox. This would seem to indicate that the Cubs are preparing LaHair for the arrival of prospect first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Steve Clevenger is making the start at first base Monday while Tony Campana plays left field and David DeJesus starts in center field. Alfonso Soriano is serving as the DH.

Bryan LaHair is not in the Cubs' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Brewers. It's just a routine day off for LaHair. Jeff Baker will play first base and bat fifth at Milwaukee's Miller Park.