Tadahito Iguchi is heading back to Japan, signing a three-year deal worth roughly $6 million with the Chiba Lotte Marines. In four years on American soil, he had three quality seasons, earned a World Series ring and may have another one coming his way if the Phillies are generous.
Nice find, Kenny. Fare thee well, Emperor.
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Tadahito Iguchi has decided to return to Japan by signing a three-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Iguchi put together three straight solid seasons with an OPS in the mid-700s after coming to America as a 30-year-old in 2005, but struggled last season between San Diego and Philadelphia and likely would have had to settle for a minor league deal. Instead, he'll reportedly make around $1.9 million per year in Japan. He finishes with a .268/.338/.401 hitting line in 2,078 plate appearances with the White Sox, Phillies and Padres.
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The Lotte Marines said Tuesday they have signed former major
league second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to a three-year contract worth
180 million yen a year plus performance bonuses of up to 20 million
yen.
Iguchi will return to Japanese baseball after playing four
seasons in the major leagues, where he won the 2005 World Series with
the Chicago White Sox in his rookie year.
Iguchi will don the No. 6 jersey, the number worn by former
Lotte star players such as three-time Triple Crown winner Hiromitsu
Ochiai and Kiyoshi Hatsushiba.
''Lotte apparently wanted me the most among teams that gave me
offers. I'm honored to wear the great number,'' Iguchi said.
Released by the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of last season,
Iguchi received offers from several other clubs in Japan as well as
in the majors.
The 34-year-old had put top priority on continuing his major
league career but decided to join Lotte, which sees him as a future
candidate to manage the club.
''We've had good relations with Iguchi since he was playing in
Japan. I'm sure manager Bobby Valentine is pleased with our latest
signing,'' club president Ryuzo Setoyama said. ''I expect him to take
a leadership role on the team.''
Iguchi batted .268 with 44 home runs and 205 RBIs in 493 games
in four seasons with the White Sox, San Diego Padres and Phillies.
He is a .271 career hitter in Japan with 149 homers and 507 RBIs
in eight seasons, all with the Daiei Hawks -- now the Softbank Hawks.
The three-time Golden Glove award winner led the Pacific League in
stolen bases twice, with 44 in 2001 and 42 in 2003.
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