Kazuhiro Kiyohara, whose five-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants is about to expire, agreed Thursday to a new four-year deal carrying an estimated 450 million yen annual salary in addition to performance incentives.
The 34-year-old infielder received a 150 million yen pay raise from this year, two months after announcing that he would remain with the Tokyo team without declaring himself a free agent.
"I'll do my best to help the team win the championship, believing that personal improvement leads to team development," Kiyohara said of his goals for his 17th season.
In 2001, Kiyohara hit .298 with 29 homers and a career-high 121 RBIs in 134 games. He joined the Giants in 1997 after spending 11 years with the Seibu Lions.