Kim Tae-kyun |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Even though he only just arrived in Japan, Chiba Lotte Marines new signing, Kim Tae-kyun, is already talking about his next destination. The Korean slugger, introduced by his new team Tuesday at a ceremony in Chiba, 40 kilometers east of Tokyo, is looking even further east, to North America and Major League Baseball (MLB).
"Facing competitive Japanese pitchers will raise my game. After putting up good numbers, I will strive to play in the U.S. Major Leagues,'' the slugger said.
"I prepared for three years to move to the high-level Japanese baseball league and I made up my mind on moving to Japan after posting good numbers. I have batted fourth in Korea, so I will try to stick to the slot on the Marines, too,'' Kim said to Japanese media after his induction ceremony in Chiba.
The 27-year-old, the biggest name on this year's free agent market of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), agreed to a 550 million yen (seven billion won), three-year deal in Seoul, Friday.
But he will be awarded bonuses up to 700 million yen based on his performance.
He has become the 11th KBO player to join Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), but just three other players ― Lee Seung-yeop of the Yomiuri Giants, and Lim Chang-yong and Lee Hey-chun of the Yakult Swallows ― are currently playing across the East Sea.
The former Hanwha Eagle, who entered the Korean league in 2001, and hit 188 homers, drove in 701 RBIs and batted .310 over nine seasons.
He had three homers and 11 RBIs with a batting average of .345 at the second World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March.
The Marines, a three-time Japan Series champion, is well known to local fans because Yomiuri Giants first baseman Lee started his NPB career there in 2004, which Kim said had an impact on his decision to sign there.
"I am familiar with the team because Lee played for the Marines. I have heard there are solid players on the squad,'' said Kim.
Marines new boss Norifumi Nishimura, who replaced Bobby Valentine, whose contract was not renewed, last month, expressed his expectations for him.
"He can hit breaking balls well and he's a devoted student of the game. He is an indispensable piece to the championship puzzle for next year,'' Nishimura said.
"Nothing has been decided on his spot in the pecking order, but he is a clear candidate for the cleanup man.''
Kim, who will wear number 52 as he did in Korea, will return to Korea, Friday, after searching for a house in Japan.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
|
