Lee Dae-ho signs with Softbank Hawks

Free-agent slugger Lee Dae-ho has reached a megadeal with a Japanese club. According to sources, the 31-year-old first baseman reached a three-year, 2.05 billion yen ($19.7 million) deal with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Softbank Hawks yesterday.

The sources said the contract includes a 50 million yen signing bonus and Lee can opt out as a free agent after the second year of the contract. He will receive 400 million yen next year and 500 million yen in the 2015 season. He will also have an option of about 150 million yen in each of the next two years.

The first baseman had two successful seasons with the Orix Buffaloes as the team’s cleanup hitter. In his Japanese league debut season in 2012, he hit .286 with 24 home runs and 91 RBI. He hit .303 with 24 home runs and 91 RBI last season.

The Hawks failed to advance to the league’s postseason and were in fourth place in the Pacific League due to lack of offense.

“I’m very happy for the signing,” Lee said. “The reason I decided to sign with the Hawks is because I wanted to play on a team that can win the Japanese league championship title next season.”

By Kwon Sang-soo