Yokohama BayStars right-hander Eddie Gaillard, who will likely move to middle relief with the return of closer Kazuhiro Sasaki from the major leagues, has backed out of a request for a multiyear contract, team executive Masatake Yamanaka said Friday.
Before the Seattle Mariners all-time saves leader's surprise comeback, Gaillard had signed with understanding that he would receive bonuses based on his performances as a closer and was considering switching teams if he were unable to land a more promising multiyear deal.
But he has apparently decided to stick with Yokohama's original one-year offer after the club said it will consider changing the details of his contract so that he can receive additional bonuses based on his performances as a middle reliever.
"Even if he was Japanese, we would not offer him a multiyear deal. This has nothing to do with Gaillard being a foreigner," Yamanaka said.
In 2003, Gaillard registered 22 saves with a 4.08 ERA in 36 games with the BayStars after moving from the Chunichi Dragons.