I raised it to the total amount of "18.1 billion won"Mi-ri is practically preparing for a life-long contract for six years, and is Hanshin's No. 4 hitter really changing into an arch-nemesis uniform?

Nov 16, 2024

Oyama, who joined as a rookie in 2017, has had double-digit homers for seven consecutive years so far this year. In 2020, he hit a personal record of 28 home runs and exceeded 20 home runs for three consecutive years until 2022. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Japanese media reported that Hanshin offered 4 years to 1.6 billion yen, but Oyama refused. Oyama contributed to Hanshin's Central League victory with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs last year. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Hanshin won the Japan Series for the first time in 38 years last year. The fourth batter, Oyama, is one of the leading players in the championship. Photo capture = Japan Baseball Organization website

The Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, who competed fiercely for first place this season, faced off again in the offseason. This happened when Hanshin No. 4 hitter Yusuke Oyama (29) declared a free agent (FA) and left the possibility of a transfer open. Oyama is the batter representing Hanshin, the most popular team, and there is no case that Hanshin's main player has moved to the 'Enemy' Yomiuri, drawing keen attention.

In the regular season, Yomiuri beat Hanshin and ranked first in the Central League in four years. He sought to win the Japan Series for the first time in 12 years since 2012, but failed to make it to the stage after being caught by the third-place Yokohama BayStars. Earlier, second-place Hanshin was also eliminated after losing two consecutive games to Yokohama in the Climax Series First Stage.

The atmosphere is unusually flowing. Japanese sports magazine Daily Sports reported on the 16th that Yomiuri, which is recruiting Oyama, is preparing for a long-term contract of up to six years (including one year of option).

The contract period may be a major variable for Hanshin's remaining and Yomiuri's transfer. Oyama, who was born in December 1994, is 30 years old. A six-year contract is effectively a life contract. It is a favorable condition comparable to the seven-year record of Japanese professional baseball. Oyama is from Ibaraki Prefecture, near Tokyo, which has a strong Yomiuri fan base.

Hanshin is in a hurry. After suggesting '4 years - 1.6 billion yen (about 14.56 billion won)', the contract terms were changed to '5 years - 2 billion yen (about 18.1 billion won)'. This is a sharp increase from 280 million yen (about 2.55 billion won) in annual salary this year. The highest level of the club will go as far as they can gobe all out to the point of saying " A senior club official said, `I persuaded them to try to win the championship together next year.'

Oyama, who won last year's Japan Series, rejected the club's multi-year contract offer and signed a one-year contract. At a press conference on the 13th, he said "Other team evaluations are

Yomiuri No. 4 hitter Okamoto. Until last year, he was the home run king three times and the RBI king twice. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

I'll listen to it" he said. Until now, Hanshin has been a team that has recruited a sign-class FA from other teams, but it has faced a situation that has never been experienced.

Oyama, who has been training at Koshien Stadium, did not appear at his home stadium on the 15th, when negotiations with all clubs became possible.

Kazuma Okamoto (28), the top 4th batter, is in good shape, but there is a reason why Yomiuri is active. Okamoto gave up third base to veteran infielder Hayato Sakamoto (36) this season and played mainly as a first baseman. The position overlaps with Oyama. However, stories continue to emerge that Okamoto is challenging the Major League through the posting system.

Okamoto hit 30 home runs for six consecutive years from 2018 to 2013 and became the home run king three times. He hit .28-150 with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs this year. He ranked second in home runs and batting average, eighth in hits, and 10th in batting average. It is a performance that overwhelms Oyama.

Last year, Oyama played four times in all 143 games. He ranked first in on-base percentage with a batting average of 288-19 homers-78 RBIs-OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.859. Compared to last year, this year's performance has fallen. He played in 130 games and recorded 259 home runs, 68 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.721. However, he is strong in chances and has a batting average of 3

Yomiuri, who won the league for the first time in four years, lost to Yokohama in the final stage of the Climax Series. Failed to advance to Japan Series. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

hit a .54 percent rate. Oyama joined as the first rookie designation in 2017 and hit a career-high 137 home runs.

Both Yomiuri and Hanshin are looking at Oyama's mouth.

huelva@sportschosun.com