The news about Korean slugger Lee Seung Yeop signing a four-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants, announced Nov. 5, seemingly came out of the blue and is rather surprising, considering the first baseman's longtime aspirations to play in the major leagues.
However, the team's proposal to include a clause that would allow Lee to go to the majors should the Giants win the Japan Series, is a great idea.
The pact will reportedly pay Lee an average of 650 million yen (about $5.6 million) per year through the 2010 season when he will be 34 years old, so it is doubtful if he will ever play for a North American team, a dream he might have realized in 2007, unless Yomiuri wins the Japan championship during the next four seasons.