Going into the office at 10 a.m., announcing the remaining time at 9 p.m., recording three home runs and 34 RBIs, the highest contract ever for five years and 23.7 billion won, right?

Nov 12, 2025

Chikamoto, who has led Hanshin's batting line with leadoff, renewed his contract for 5 years to 2.5 billion yen. After about 10 hours of marathon negotiations on the 11th, the deadline for applying for the FA, it was decided to stay. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Jikamoto joined as the first name in 2019 and has continued his solid performance for seven years. He was named the best nine for four consecutive years until last year and received the outfielder Golden Glove. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

He entered the club's office at 10 a.m. and announced his stay at 9 p.m. This is the result of more than 10 hours of negotiations. Hanshin Tigers outfielder Koji Chikamoto (31) renewed his contract for '5 years-2.5 billion yen (about 23.75 billion won).' The average annual salary is 500 million yen (about 4.75 billion won). It is an estimate, not the terms of the contract announced by the club. On the deadline of the FA application, players and clubs put their heads together to reach an agreement. Chikamoto and a club official said in front of the press, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."," he bowed his head.

"I've played baseball at Koshien Stadium for the past seven years amid cheers from fans," Chikamoto said. I want to continue to enjoy playing baseball here." It's actually a life-long contract that lasts until you're in your late 30s. "I think this contract will be motivating," Zikamoto said.

Hanshin, who returned to the top of the Central League for the first time in two years, tried to win the Japan Series but failed. It lost four consecutive games after one win over the Pacific League's winning team, the Softbank Hawks. First of all, he kept his core strength for the second consecutive league victory and the first time in three years to win the Japan Series.

Zikamoto rejected the multi-year contract offered by the club after the end of last year's season. He seemed to have a FA qualification and a transfer in mind. I don't know if it was intended to raise the ransom, but the club actively caught it.

Chikamoto is from Hyogo Prefecture, Hanshin's hometown. I grew up watching Hanshin baseball. He graduated from high school and university in the Kansai region and became a professional player after serving as a member of the social baseball team Osaka Gas. He wore a Hanshin uniform as the first pick of the 2019 rookie draft.

Chikamoto has been the steal king six times in the past seven seasons. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

1m71-70kg, left and right. Zikamoto's strength is his consistency with little ups and downs. He has continued his solid performance in the offense and defense for the past seven years without injury. In his third year as a member of the club, he ranked first in the number of hits (178) in 2021, and has been the top stealer six times so far this year. He also has good defense in the outfield. I received the Golden Glove for four consecutive years from 2021. At least 1,000 hits were recorded in the game this year. A career batting average of 0.288.

It is clear that it is a key force that must be kept. However, it is worth mentioning that the ransom is expensive compared to the grade.

'Leadoff' Zikamoto hit .279-160 with three home runs, 34 RBIs and 76 runs in 140 games this year. He only stole 19 bases last year, but made 32 this year. It's a remarkable performance in the 'go-to-taser' league.

However, even if he is a good contact hitter, his power is disappointing. He was the only one to hit 10 home runs in 2021. He has hit 20 home runs in the past four years. 54 RBIs in 2023 is a personal record in a season. OPS (On-base plus slugging) was 0.700 this season.

'5 years-2.5 billion yen' is the highest condition in Hanshin's history. A year ago, infielder Yusuke Oyama (31) decided to stay after considering applying for FA. 요미우리 자이

Zikamoto signed a contract for 370 million yen last winter, up 50 million won. Starting next year, the average annual salary will rise to 500 million yen. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Rejecting the temptation of Unz, he signed '5 years - 1.7 billion yen (about 16.15 billion won).' Oyama is the center hitter and has exceeded 20 home runs for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. He has recorded more than 70 RBIs six times so far this year.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.