The Chunichi Dragons announced their re-signing with slugger Tyrone Woods on Tuesday for an estimated 600 million yen in annual salary, a pay raise of 100 million yen.
Softbank Hawks infielder Munenori Kawasaki poses with a banner that says "over the 100-million
yen mark" on Tuesday at Yahoo Dome after re-signing with the Pacific League club to an estimated
140-million yen contract.
KYODO PHOTOChunichi and Woods agreed to a one-year contract after having talks in Las Vegas, where the Central League club made a weeklong trip to celebrate its league championship.
The 37-year-old first baseman led the league with 47 homers and 144 RBIs, both club records, in 2006, the final year of his previous two-year contract with Chunichi.
Woods has won three home run titles in his four years in Japan, in 2003 and 2004 with the Yokohama BayStars and this past season.
Maeda inks deal
HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) Hiroshima Carp outfielder Tomonori Maeda on Tuesday agreed to a 22 million yen increase in his annual salary to an estimated 210 million yen and signed a contract for his 18th year with the Central League club.
The 35-year-old finished last season with a .314 batting average with 23 homers and 75 RBIs. He recorded 148 hits, 94 hits shy of a career total of 2,000 hits.
"I hope to reach (2,000 hits) without injury step by step and contribute to the team's advance to a playoff," Maeda added.
Kawasaki pay hike
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Softbank Hawks shortstop Munenori Kawasaki received a 50 million yen pay raise Tuesday, re-signing with the Pacific League club for an estimated 140 million yen in annual salary.
