|
|
|
Saito re-signs with Softbank, gets pay cut
|
|
 email this
 print this
|
FUKUOKA, Dec. 22 (19:15) Kyodo
|
|
Injury-plagued Softbank Hawks right-hander Kazumi Saito
re-signed on a one-year deal Monday for a salary of 200 million yen
-- a drop of 50 million yen from this year.
Two-time Sawamura Award winner Saito, whose three-year contract
will expire at the end of the year, underwent surgery to repair his
right shoulder in January and failed to make any appearances for the
top team for the first time since his rookie season in 1996.
''I'm still in the stages of rehabilitation. I still don't have
a picture of the next few months but I'm just trying to get an idea
as I continue with rehabilitation,'' said Saito, who could possibly
miss the start of the 2009 season with his training behind schedule.
''Right now, it's just difficult to hold myself back from
pitching,'' he said.
Elsewhere, Lotte Marines right-hander Naoyuki Shimizu left open
the possibility of landing a free agent deal with a major league club
after the 2009 season, agreeing to a new contract that includes a
player option for a second year.
Shizumi will earn 240 million yen in 2009, up 80 million yen
from this year, and 280 million yen in 2010 if he opts to remain with
the Pacific League club next fall. Signing a deal carrying this kind
of option is rare in Japanese baseball.
''I'll consider whether to exercise this option once I meet the
requirements to become a free agent (during next season),'' said
Shimizu, who had a 13-9 record with a 3.75 earned run average in 2008.
Hiroshima Carp infielder Kenta Kurihara agreed to an annual
salary of 130 million yen, double the amount he earned in 2008. He
appeared in all 144 regular season games for the second straight year
and hit .332 with 23 homers and 103 RBIs.
Veteran Hiroshima outfielder Tomonori Maeda, meanwhile, was hit
with a 50 million yen pay cut after re-signing for a salary of 120
million yen. |
|
back to headlines >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
