Lee Dae-ho joins Orix

Former Korean MVP Lee Dae-ho has joined the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, the club announced.

In a press release, the Buffaloes said they have signed the 29-year-old infielder formerly with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, but did not disclose other details of the deal.

Lee has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth 700 million yen ($9 million).

The hulking first baseman, listed at 194 centimeters and 130 kilograms, was voted the KBO’s MVP in 2010 after leading the league in an unprecedented seven offensive categories, including the Triple Crown categories of home runs, RBIs and batting average.

This year, he won his second straight batting title with a .357 average and led the league in hits and on-base percentage.

In 11 seasons with Lotte, Lee batted .309 with 225 homers and 809 RBIs. He declared for free agency this offseason and was immediately pursued by Japanese clubs.

The Buffaloes had two Korean veterans in 2011. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Park Chan-ho and first baseman Lee Seung-yeop were teammates on Orix, but both have since left the team after a disappointing stint. 

(Yonhap News)