Yakult captain Tetsuto Yamada, who missed out on a third consecutive title in the Central League in professional baseball, renewed his contract for next season with the same estimated annual salary of 3 million yen as this season, plus piecework, and expressed his enthusiasm for the next season, saying, "I just want to win a lot and do my best to reach the top."
Yakult finished fifth in the Central League this season and missed out on a third consecutive title.
Yamada, who is in his fourth year as captain, has played in 5 games, 3 fewer than last season, with 4 home runs, 1 RBIs and four stolen bases this season due to lower-body illness.
Yamada negotiated with the club at the team's office in Tokyo on the 2st and renewed his contract for next season, the fourth year of his seven-year contract, with the same estimated annual salary of 25 million yen as this season, plus piecework payments.
Looking back on this season, Yamada said, "The first thing that comes out is frustration because we didn't get good results as individuals and as a team."
Looking ahead to next season, he said, "I just want to build a strong body that doesn't get injured and fight hard for a year, and I want to hit a lot, run a lot, win a lot, and do my best to reach the top."
41-year-old Nobuchika Aoki signs a new contract with an estimated annual salary of 1 million yen
In addition, 41-year-old Nobuchika Aoki, the oldest fielder on the team, signed a contract for next season with an annual salary of 3 million yen, which is 2 million yen less than the estimated reduction limit, and expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I am grateful to have signed a contract, and I want to become the best in Japan and parade in Omotesando."