Seven years ago, KIA made a great successA fierce lead chase, a certain 'Winning Puzzle' The time for determination is approaching
Jul 23, 2024
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Recently, trade rumors have been actively raised in the KBO League. Cho Sang-woo (30, Kium Heroes) was at the center.
Jo Sang-woo, who wore a Nexen (currently Kiwoom) uniform in the first round (the first overall pick) in 2013, is the closing pitcher who represents the league. He is cracking down on Kiwoom's back door with a 2.79 ERA with six saves and eight holds in 42 games this season. Although he was recently listed as injured due to shoulder pain, 'Healthy Cho Sang-woo' is a clear backdoor crackdown card.
Recently, rumors have begun to circulate that Cho Sang-woo has been listed as a trade target. Kiwoom is tied for ninth with Hanwha (38-53) with 38 wins and 53 losses in 91 games this season. Eight games behind the fifth-place NC Dinos. Although there is no hope of autumn baseball at all, Kiwoom is clearly setting its direction and spending the season this year.
Jo Sang-woo is an absolute necessity in Kiwoom. If Cho Sang-woo is also out, Kiwoom will have to spend the rest of the season without a clear bullpen agent. Nevertheless, the view is that the trade can be sufficiently carried out because it is raised. Last year, Kiwoom sent pitcher Choi Won-tae to the LG Twins and recruited fielder Lee Joo-hyung. In addition, this year, Kim Hui-jip, a big shot infielder prospect, was sent to the NC Dinos and received the first and third rounds of the 2025 rookie draft. In particular, Kim Hwi-jip hit 12 home runs this season, showing him heading for 'Win-Win'.
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Although it is evaluated that the price is high, there are many teams that need Cho Sang-woo. Above all, the KIA Tigers, the LG Twins, and the Samsung Lions, who are currently competing for the top spot, can all have Cho Sang-woo as the last puzzle of the championship challenge.
KIA, which is currently in first place, is missing closer Jung Hae-young and setup man Choi Ji-min. As he enters the process of returning, he can return as early as this week, but the weight of the bullpen, which Jo Sang-woo joined, is different.
The second-place LG Twins are also highly utilized if Cho Sang-woo comes. The bullpen's difficulty continues until it goes to the closing Yoo Young-chan, causing concerns. However, LG's general manager Cha Myung-seok also drew the line saying `I'm not interested' in Cho Sang-woo's trade.
In addition, Samsung, ranked third, recruited bullpen resources such as Kim Jae-yoon and Lim Chang-min this year, but the crackdown on the back door is still unstable.
KIA (57 wins, 2 draws and 35 losses) is firmly in the lead with 8 wins and 2 losses in 10 games, including its six-game winning streak until the 22nd. It is 6.5 games behind the second-place LG Twins (51 wins, 2 draws and 42 losses). He is 7.5 games apart from Samsung (50 wins, two draws and 43 losses). KIA's regular season No. 1 is becoming more likely, but it is also a distance that can be overturned in the second half of the year. LG and Samsung are also in good spirits these days.
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Kim Se-hyun led KIA to the top by playing four games in the Korean Series while recording 18 saves and seven holds that year.On the other hand, Kiwoom was able to possess a future resource called Lee Seung-ho.
The trade deadline is July 31. With less than 10 days left, will there be a team that will boldly greet 'Winning Contractor'.
bellstop@sportschosun.com
