Free agent third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda has elected to remain in Japan and re-sign with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. It is rumored he will receive an estimated ¥1.6 billion over four years to remain at the hot corner for the Hawks. After becoming a free agent this offseason, Matsuda was eyeing a possible jump to the major leagues, and several teams including the San Diego Padres were pursuing him. He will also receive performance bonuses under his new deal. Matsuda said he chose to stay with the Hawks after a phone call from the club’s honorary chairman, Sadaharu Oh. Source: Yahoo! Japan News, 12/23
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