Kim Tae-kyun signs with Japan`s Lotte Marines

By Oh Kyu-wook



Korean slugger Kim Tae-kyun has singed on a three year deal with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan, reports said on Friday.

Kim has agreed to sign a 700 million yen ($7.75 million) deal with the Marines after meeting officials from the Japanese club in Seoul this morning.

The 27-year-old, who played for the Hanwha Eagles for the past nine years, became a free agent last month and revealed earlier that he wanted to go abroad.

The Hanwha Eagles, on Thursday, also offered Kim a four-year deal with reportedly 6 billion won, but he refused.

Since Kim joined the Eagles in 2001, he has recorded 188 homeruns and 701 RBIs, with two Golden Glove awards in 2005 and 2008.

Despite early absence from a head injury this year, the former Hanwha first baseman batted an avg .330 with 19 homeruns. He also played for the Korean national team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic where Japan beat Korea in the final.

The Lotte Marines are Japan`s pacific league professional baseball team based in Chiba City. Korean slugger Lee Seung-yeop played for the club during 2004-2005 season, before moving Yomiuri Giants in 2006. (kyuwook.oh@gmail.com)