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Chunichi closer Iwase keeps top Japanese pitcher's salary
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NAGOYA, Dec. 24 (19:50) Kyodo
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Chunichi Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase agreed Wednesday to a
four-year deal carrying a salary of 430 million yen in the first
year, unchanged from 2008, with payments to vary in subsequent years.
Iwase will be paid the highest salary among active Japanese
pitchers for the third year in a row.
In the 2007 off-season, the 34-year-old signed a one-year
contract with an eye on moving to the major leagues but said
Wednesday he got a realty check after taking the losses for three
games at the Beijing Olympics, where Japan missed out on a medal with
a fourth-place finish.
''I realized that I am not cut out to pitch overseas,'' said
Iwase. ''I originally joined this club because I liked it and the
environment suits me. I'm determined not to let the team down and to
make sure that I fulfill my role in games we can win next year.''
In other transactions, Softbank Hawks infielder Hiroki Kokubo
signed a salary deal for an unchanged amount of 300 million yen plus
performance incentives for the third season of a four-year contract.
Kokubo was sidelined in September after bruising his left heel
and hit .253 in 106 games. ''This season was one of the most
disappointing ones in many years,'' said Kokubo. Next season will be
the 37-year-old's third year with the Hawks since returning from
playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
The Yokohama BayStars reached an agreement in principle with the
agent of slugger Shuichi Murata, who led the Central League in home
runs for the second straight year. The new deal for the 27-year-old,
which is projected to be up 100 million yen from this year to 260
million yen in annual salary, will likely be signed in early January
after both sides work out details on incentives.
Lotte Marines submarine hurler Shunsuke Watanabe will be paid
170 million yen plus performance bonuses in 2009 -- a 40 million yen
pay hike from this past season. Watanabe posted a team-high 13 wins
(eight losses), reaching double digits in wins for the first time in
three seasons.
Elsewhere, Seibu Lions infielder and Pacific League home run
king Takeya Nakamura agreed to a salary of 70 million yen after he
was offered the same pay increase of 42 million yen in his second
round of talks with the 2008 Japan Series champion.
Nakamura, 25, had a breakout season in his seventh year in pro
baseball, hitting 46 homers with 101 RBIs. |
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