The Yokohama BayStars gave Yoshitomo Tsutsugo a huge pay raise and re-signed the outfielder Thursday to an annual salary of ¥300 million (about $2.6 million) for next season.
"I have been offered an unbelievable amount of money and I am really thankful," said Tsutsugo, a seventh-year player whose wage was tripled. "I think this reflects the results I have put up the last three seasons."
The 25-year-old Tsutsugo was the cleanup hitter for the BayStars in all 133 games he played this past season.
He led the Central League in home runs (44) and RBIs (110) and posted a personal-best batting average of .322, helping to lead the BayStars to their first appearance in the Climax Stage.
Tsutsugo, though, was disappointed at not being able to achieve the target of winning the CL pennant.
"Third place in the Central League is not good enough," he said. "I want to be the cleanup hitter and captain that steers the team to the championship."
Hopes are also being pinned on Tsutsugo being a central figure for the Japan national team at the World Baseball Classic in the spring.
"It's an honor to play for Japan," he said. "There will be no days off for me in December or January. I want to raise my game