JAPAN – The 2009 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) new Home Run King is getting a hefty pay raise.

Chunichi Dragons slugger Tony Blanco (pictured), who earned $300,000 in his rookie season in Japan, has agreed to a tw0-year contract that team sources said will pay the 28-year-old slugger an annual salary of $1.80 million.

The first baseman launched 39 home runs while driving in 110 runs in 144 games this season to lead the Dragons into the playoffs.

NPB GRANTS FREE AGENCY TO 87 PLAYERS

Yakult Swallows right-hander Ryota Igarashi, Lotte Marines right-hander Naoyuki Shimizu and Softbank Hawks outfielder Hitoshi Tamura are among 14 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) players who have become eligible to ply their trade overseas.

The players have met the NPB requirement of being on the top-team roster for at least nine years in order to make a move to an overseas team.

Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe and Lotte right-hander Hiroyuki Kobayashi are among 17 players who can hold free agent talks with domestic clubs for the first time this offseason after playing for their top teams for eight years.

Chunichi Dragons catcher Motonobu Tanishige and three other players regained eligibility status, while 52 players continue to hold the right to become a free agent.

Players who file for free agency during the seven business days after the end of the Japan Series starting on Oct. 31 will be allowed to negotiate a deal after their names are posted by the Japanese baseball commissioner’s office as free agents.

Photo courtesy of forums.simcentral.net

Tags: Japan