Hideto Asamura will pick the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles as his team for the 2019 season and beyond, as it was reported this week. By signing with the Eagles, Asamura becomes the third straight Seibu Lions free agent in as many years to join them, the previous being Takayuki Kishi and Naoto Watanabe.
Asamura, who turned 28 this month, was one of two highly touted free agents among position players in NPB. He had a career 2018 season with a slashline of .310/.383/.510 with a career-high 32 home runs. Other teams who were interested included the Orix Buffaloes and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
The Eagles contract offer was reported to be four years, ¥2 billion. Seibu initially offered there years for ¥1.5 billion, but eventually matched the Eagles offer. Asamura is not taking the highest financial deal on the table, as the Softbank Hawks reportedly offered four years, ¥2.8 billion.
Asamura contacted the Lions directly and told them he wants to sign with another team. Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe apologized to fans in a statement for not being able to retain him.
As a result of this decision, Asamura is a type B free agent, meaning the Lions will get the option to take a cash option of about ¥97.5 million, or cash of ¥75 million and an unprotected player after Rakuten protects 28 of them from being taken.
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