By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Chunichi Dragons' Lee Byung-gyu aims for a .300 batting average with more than 20 homeruns this season.
According to sports daily Chunichi Sports' Web site, Lee wants to extend his contract to make up for a poor performance in the last season of his three-year contract.
``If I play without getting injured, I can show an improved performance over my last two years,'' the 34-year-old said.
Lee, who became a Free Agent (FA) after he played for the LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for 10 years and moved to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Dragons, could be awarded up to 750 million yen for the three-year contract.
In his debut year in Japan, the veteran outfielder averaged .262 with nine dingers and 46 RBIs. He improved last season, with 16 long balls with 65 RBIs, but the lefty hitter had only a .254 batting average, having sustained a left shoulder injury.
``As we proceed this season without star players Kawakami Kenshin and Tyrone Woods, we've heard that our team is considered weaker now than last season. I want to support my team,'' Lee said.
The outfielder will move to Okinawa for Spring Training, which starts Feb. 1.
According to the Sports Nippon, a Japanese daily sports newspaper, the Korean outfielder showed embarrassment over Dragons manager Hiromitsu Ochiai's plan to field Lee as a first baseman to make up for the absence of Woods.
``I've played for more than 10 years as outfielder as a professional athlete. I don't have a glove for first base,'' Lee said.
The Dragons manager's idea is in line with the team's plan, with Ochiai having mentioned his willingness to change line-ups with rookies last December. ``Every player should compete and half of our starter will be moved,'' the manager said. Chunichi benefited by acquiring rookie outfielder Nomoto Key.
Lee, who's starting the last season of his contract, may endure the generational shift and position change, thereby extending his contract.