Horner Reportedly Must Hit 50 Homers or Take a Cut in Pay

Bob Horner, former Atlanta Braves’ slugger who signed with the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Central League, will be the highest-paid player in Japanese pro baseball history, news reports said Thursday, but he must hit 50 home runs or suffer a cut in pay.

Yakult confirmed that Horner, 29, signed a one-year contract Tuesday, and major Tokyo sports dailies said it is for $2 million, including travel and other expenses.

However, the reports said the contract provides that his salary will be reduced an undisclosed amount if he fails to hit 50 home runs and average .300 at the plate this season. Horner batted .273 with 87 runs batted in and 27 homers last season.

No major league team accepted a one-year,$800,000 proposal by Horner, who declared himself a free agent after last season.

He is scheduled to arrive in Japan later this month and join a field of 25 foreign players among Japan’s 12 pro baseball teams in two leagues, Central and Pacific.

Ex-major leaguer Randy Bass, 32, of the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers is currently reported to be the highest-paid foreign player with an annual salary estimated at $850,000.

Hiromitsu Ochiai, 33, the three-time triple crown winner who was traded to the Chunichi Dragons by the Lotte Orions of the Pacific League this season, is the highest-paid Japanese player with an estimated salary of $896,000.