Daiei Hawks southpaw Tsuyoshi Wada, who won the 2003 Rookie of the Year title, re-signed with the Pacific League club on Friday for a pro baseball record 80 million yen in annual salary, club sources said.
Previously, right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Seibu Lions had been the highest paid when he received a boost of 57 million yen for a yearly salary of 70 million yen after his rookie season four years ago.
Wada received the rookie maximum of 15 million yen this past season -- making his 65 million yen pay increase in just his second season the biggest ever in Japan pro baseball.
Trade hits snag
The Nippon Ham Fighters are set to nix a one-on-one trade of outfielder Tatsuya Ide for Yomiuri Giants pitcher Yusaku Iriki if the right-hander insists on being auctioned via the posting system next off-season, a Nippon Ham club official said Friday.
Iriki, whom the Giants reportedly decided to trade to the Fighters rather than go through the hassle of negotiating with his agent, is scheduled to resume talks with Nippon Ham on Monday.
One Nippon Ham official said the issue of Iriki making a move to the majors next offseason was out of question.
Nioka re-signs
Yomiuri Giants infielder Tomohiro Nioka re-signed with the Central League club for an annual salary of 170 million yen Friday -- a pay increase of 90 million yen.
Elsewhere, Chunichi Dragons lefty Masahiro Yamamoto received a 20 million yen pay boost for an annual salary of 190 million yen.
Lotte Marines right-hander Tomohiro Kuroki saw his annual salary cut by 55 million yen and will receive 80 million yen next season.
Chiba Lotte Marines right-hander Naoyuki Shimizu will return to the Pacific League club after re-signing for an annual salary of 100 million yen -- a pay increase of 46 million yen.