Saitama Seibu Lions slugger Takeya Nakamura re-signed Tuesday for a salary of ¥150 million, up ¥80 million from 2009.
However, Lions right-hander Hideaki Wakui, this year's Sawamura Award winner, is holding out for more money after turning down the same club offer of an ¥80 million pay raise that would bring his earnings to ¥200 million in 2010.
Nakamura, who played third base and was a designated hitter, batted regularly in the cleanup spot for the first time this season. He hit 48 home runs to lead the Pacific League for the second year in a row and had a league-high 122 RBIs.
"Cleanup is the heart of the order, so I put a lot of pressure on myself. I'm glad my efforts were recognized," Nakamura said.