A’s win rights to Japan righty

NEW YORK » The Oakland Athletics have won bidding for negotiating rights to Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma.

The A’s bid was accepted by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League under the bidding treaty between Major League Baseball and the Japanese commissioner’s office, MLB said yesterday.

Oakland has 30 days to reach a contract agreement.

The 29-year-old righty was 10-9 with a 2.82 ERA in 28 games this season.

Steinbrenner, Martin reunited

NEW YORK » Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will be on the Hall of Fame veterans committee ballot next month with former New York manager Billy Martin.

Steinbrenner owned the Yankees from 1973 until his death in July, and the team won seven World Series championships during his turbulent and blustery reign.

Martin had five stints as manager under Steinbrenner, who fired him four times.

Former union head Marvin Miller also will be on the ballot with players Vida Blue, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Al Oliver, Ted Simmons and Rusty Staub.