Infielder Akinori Iwamura became the second Japanese star to land in the major leagues in as many days when he agreed Friday to a $7.7 million, three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The Devil Rays submitted a winning bid of $4.55 million for rights to negotiate with the six-time Gold Glove third baseman and had until midnight EST Friday to reach a contract agreement or Iwamura’s rights would have reverted to his Japanese League team, the Yakult Swallows.
Iwamura will earn $1.8 million in next year, $2.4 million in 2008 and $3.25 million in 2009, and the Devil Rays have a 2010 option at $4.25 million with a $250,000 buyout. The 2010 salary could increase to $5.25 million and the buyout to $750,000 based on plate appearances in the first three seasons. Counting the posting fee and guaranteed money, Tampa Bay’s total investment is $12.25 million.
The power-hitting infielder batted .311 with 32 homers and 77 RBI’s with Yakult last season. He hit at least 30 homers each of the past three years, including a career-high 44 in 2004. Iwamura, who hit 188 homers in eight seasons with Yakult, also was the starting third baseman for Japan in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. He batted .389 in six games to help his team win the tournament.