NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) Hanshin Tigers veteran outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto re-signed with the club on Friday for ¥450 million, down ¥100 million from 2009.
The 41-year-old remains the highest paid player on the team.
Former Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima appeared to become the highest paid Hanshin player because of his four-year deal worth ¥2 billion plus performance bonuses. But sources later said Johjima's salary for 2010 is ¥400 million, not ¥500 million.
Kanemoto entered 2009 after undergoing offseason surgery on his left knee, and his .261 batting average, 21 home runs and 91 RBIs were all below the previous year's.