By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Lee Bum-ho will make a decision this week on whether he will cross the East Sea or stay in Korea.
Lee, one of the Korea Baseball Organization's top third basemen and among the most sought-after free agents this winter, said he still wants to play in Japan but he's not sure if a deal will be reached.
"If I can't make a deal with any Japanese team, I will waive my intention to move to Japan and negotiate with domestic teams," Lee said.
Lee rejected an offer from his former team, the Hanwha Eagles, worth 4 billion won (750 million won in annual salary and a 1 billion won signing bonus) over four years. But he has since switched agents and is confident that a big deal can be completed.
The 28-year-old Korean has established himself as one of the best defensive players at the hot corner and was a member of the Korean team at both World Baseball Classics (WBC).
At the second WBC, he wasn't initially in the starting lineup, as Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants was slotted in ahead of him. But the Giants player was weak defensively and, eventually, Lee took over.
While Lee is known for his defense, he swings a big power bat as well.
Lee hit .284 with 25 homers and 79 RBIs last season, and over his 10-year career, he's a .265 hitter with 160 home runs and 526 RBIs.
He also hit .400 at the second WBC and had an incredible OPS (On-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.358.
He's also proven to be incredible durable ― he's missed only eight games the last five seasons ― and is known as one of the most physically fit players in the KBO.
After watching Kim Tae-kyun sign a massive deal worth 550 million yen (9 billion won) with an additional 150 million yen in incentives over three years with Chiba Lotte Marines this week, Lee believes he deserves a similar deal.
"I don't want to accept a deal that's much less. I want at least 300 million yen for two years," Lee said.
Four Nippon Professional Baseball teams have expressed interest so far - the Yomiuri Giants, Hanshin Tigers, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Yakult Swallows.
But one insider said Lee may not get the money he's looking for.
"If teams start competing for Lee, his annual salary could rise up to 70 or 80 million yen. But it would be hard for him to get more than 100 million yen (per year)," the observer said.
"His contract will probably be around 180 to 200 million yen for two years."
It's unusual for a player to sign a deal worth 100 million yen or more before having even stepped on the field in the NPB.
Swallows closer Lim Chang-yong signed a 30 million yen contract, plus some incentives, when he crossed the East Sea.
If Lee decides to stay in Korea, the Lotte Giants are expected to be in the running to acquire his services. While the Giants may have some reservations about meeting his hefty salary demands, the Eagles look ready to break the bank.
"We really need him," Eagles new manager Han Dae-wha said.
"Without him, it is really hard to organize my team for next season. I don't want to imagine losing both Kim and Lee."
Losing both of its sluggers would be a serious blow to the Eagles ― the KBO's bottom dog in 2009.