Chunichi Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase, who set a single-season Japanese baseball record with 46 saves this year, refused to accept an offer of a one-year, 300 million yen deal from the Central League club Wednesday.
The offer represents a 70 million yen increase from this year's salary, but Iwase said after hourlong talks that he is seeking a 100 million yen raise and hopes the gap will narrow in the next round of negotiations in January.
"It was the best year of my career. I set a saves record, and I can't compromise easily," the 31-year-old left-hander said.
Iwase posted a 1.88 ERA with a 1-2 record in 60 mound appearances this year.