NAGOYA (Kyodo) The Chunichi Dragons and closer Hitoki Iwase signed on Friday a new one-year deal carrying an estimated annual salary of ¥430 million, the highest for an active Japanese pitcher.
Iwase maintained his status as the highest paid Japanese pitcher after earning a raise of ¥40 million from his 2007 paycheck. Koji Uehara re-signed with the Yomiuri Giants late last month for an annual salary of ¥400 million.
In 2007, Iwase, a two-time Central League saves leader, became the first pitcher in Japan to earn 40 saves for three consecutive seasons and helped the Dragons win the Japan Series title.
"I became eligible last year to become a free agent but I haven't had enough time to think it over, so hopefully this contract will help me ponder my future over the coming year," Iwase said when asked about his choice of a one-year deal over a multiyear offer from Chunichi.