The Yomiuri Giants said Sunday the Central League club has agreed with a four-year, 3 billion yen contract with Lee Seung Yeop, which will give the South Korean slugger a hefty pay raise in 2007.
The deal also includes a sub-clause that helps open the way for Lee to pursue a career in the major leagues in the event the Giants win the Japan Series championship during four years time.
"This contract looks somewhat irregular, but it helps serve to realize Lee's hopes of making (manager Tatsunori) Hara's team the (Japan Series) champion and playing in the major leagues," Yomiuri representative Hidetoshi Kiyotake said.
Lee, who will make 700 million yen in 2007 under the new deal with an increase from 160 million yen this year, said his top priority is to win the championship with the Giants.
"Making it to the majors is important in my life, but for the moment playing for the Giants means more and I want to speak about the rest only after we win the championship," he said.
(Kyodo News)