The Yomiuri Giants on Thursday announced the acquisition of South Korean slugger Lee Seung Yeop on a one-year contract worth an estimated 210 million yen, including a 50 million yen signing bonus.
The signing came after Lee and the Japan Series champion Chiba Lotte Marines officially terminated talks on a contract extension Tuesday, unable to agree on a guarantee of more playing opportunities demanded by the 29-year-old.
"I'm honored to join the Giants. This uniform number made me think of the great expectations the club has," Lee said of his number 33, which was once worn by Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima during his stint as a Yomiuri manager.
Last year, Lee hit .260 with team highs of 30 homers and 82 RBIs in 117 games.