By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The Lotte Giants have finalized contracts with their top two offensive players.
The Busan-based team announced Tuesday that it had inked Lee Dae-ho to a 390 million-won ($347,000) deal for the 2010 season, up from the 360 million he received last season.
One day earlier, the American Jerry Royster-led Giants brought Mexican outfielder Karim Garcia back to the nation’s craziest baseball city for his third straight stint in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) after re-signing him to a deal worth $325,000 a $100,000 signing fee and a $220,000 salary -- an eight-percent cut from last season’s $375,000.
Lee, a 27-year-old slugging infielder, batted .301 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 2008 and followed that up with 28 long balls, 100 RBIs and a .293 average in 2009.
As the top ranked batter in the team’s evaluation reports, the eight-year veteran insisted on a raise when negotiations began on Jan. 7, while the Giants had other intentions.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Lee was absent from team training for two days, which sparked criticism of the team from fans.
“First of all, I feel sorry for causing the team and fans so much anxiety,’’ Lee said through the team.
“I thank the Giants for the deal and I will do my best to help the team win the title.”
Garcia, 34, has become the first foreign position player to stay with the Giants for three straight years. Right-handed pitcher Emiliano Giron played for the Giants from 1999 to 2001 and Felix Jose, a former big-league all-star, played with the team in 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007.
Garcia said through the team that he was happy to return to the Giants and would contribute to the team’s push for a championship title.
The left-handed batter wanted to renew his contract at the same salary after posting 29 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .283 average. He also led the league in outfield assists with 17.
Garcia, now at home in Mexico, will return to the team for training in Saipan on Jan. 30.
As of Tuesday, the Giants have re-signed 55 of their 57 players.