Third baseman Nakamura becomes Japan's highest-paid player

TOKYO -- Norihiro Nakamura became the highest-paid player in Japanese baseball Wednesday when he agreed to a $4.1 million deal with the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

The deal is for the 2003 season, but Kintetsu and Nakamura have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a $25 million, six-year deal.

Hideki Matsui, who will play for the New York Yankees this season, was the highest-paid player in Japan last season, earning $5 million with the Central League's Yomiuri Giants.

Nakamura was targeted by the New York Mets as a replacement for Edgardo Alfonzo at third base but backed out of a deal with the Mets last month, opting to remain in Japan. The 29-year-old hit .294 with 42 homers and 115 RBI last year with the Buffaloes.

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