OSAKA -- Last season's home run king Tuffy Rhodes turned down a two-year offer from the Kintetsu Buffaloes and instead signed a one-year contract worth an estimated $2.2 million for the upcoming season, officials of the Pacific League club said Tuesday.
Rhodes was close to becoming the first foreign player to ink a multiyear deal with the Osaka club, but delayed negotiations led the left-handed outfielder to settle for a $700,000 pay raise and incentives which can earn him up to $500,000 more.
Rhodes, a former Boston Red Sox outfielder, matched the single-season home run record of 55 set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964 and earned his second home run title in his sixth year with Kintetsu.
The 33-year-old Ohio native was chosen as the league's MVP and has reportedly been drawing attention from major league clubs.