The Japan Series champion Chiba Lotte Marines will try to win its second consecutive title in 2006 without South Korean slugger Lee Seung Yeop after both sides officially terminated talks on a contract extension Tuesday.
Lotte club representative Ryuzo Setoyama said Lee's agent told the Pacific League club that there will be no further talks on extending the two-year contract that expired last year.
Lotte announced Lee's release last week after the negotiations ended in an impasse. Lee hit .260 with team highs of 30 homers and 82 RBIs in 117 games last year.