The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has invested heavily to keep their ace Kodai Senga. The Olympic gold medalist signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported US$ 5.3 million a year, with an increase of approximately 1.8 million a year.
"The contract I signed brings with it a lot of responsibilities," told Senga to the Kyodo News agency. "2021 was a big year for me, but as a ballplayer, it is essential always to aim higher."
Senga's contract contains a player opt-out option after the 2022 season that would allow him to play overseas.
The 28-year old Senga struggled because of an injury during the first half of the NPB 2021 season. He appeared in both games Samurai Japan won against the US at the Olympics, including the final, pitching three innings and allowing only a hit.
He won nine games after the Olympic break, making the 2021 campaign the sixth straight season with 10 or more wins.
