There's another big fish for FA fieldersShould I get 2 billion won for 3 years or go to the market
Jul 04, 2024
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The FA market, which will be held after the end of this season, is expected to be centered on pitchers. In particular, bullpen pitchers such as Kim Won-joong, Jang Hyun-sik and Lee Yong-chan are in front of obtaining qualifications. Among the fielders, Choi Jeong's name stands out when it comes to name value. Choi Jeong-eun, who holds the KBO League record for career home runs, is a 'one club man' that leads to SK Wyverns-SSG. The club is also considering a lot about Choi Jung's contract, and he is drawing a picture of retirement from the team he has played so far after receiving the best treatment.
While NC Dinos outfielder Kim Sung-wook could be 'Blue Chip', there is another potential big-time fielder. It is Heo Kyung-min, the main third baseman of the Doosan Bears.
Huh Kyung-min acquired his first career FA qualification after the 2020 season, and after fierce recruitment competition at the time, he remained at Doosan and signed a contract of up to 8.5 billion won for 4+3 years. The impression of signing a long-term contract with Doosan remains strong, which can be overlooked when classified as a preliminary FA, but there is an option. The first four years of signing a contract with Doosan will be completed this year. At the time of the contract, Huh Kyung-min signed on the condition of receiving a guarantee of 6.5 billion won with a down payment of 2.5 billion won and an annual salary of 4 billion won in the first four years.
And '+3 years' was an unconventional 'player option'. It is a contract that allows players to choose whether to extend it or not. If Huh Kyung-min chooses to execute +3 years, Doosan will receive 2 billion won over 3 years.
It could also declare FA after four years. If that happens, I'll go back to the market.
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Last year, the FA market was flooded with infielders, with Ahn Chi-hong, a 1-2 baseman, moving from Lotte Giants to Hanwha Eagles, hitting a maximum of 7.2 billion won 'Jackpot' for 4+2 years, and his teammate Yang Seok-hwan also stamped a maximum of 7.8 billion won for 4+2 years. Considering that another veteran infielder Jeon Joon-woo also signed up to 4.7 billion won for four years and Kim Sun-bin, the KIA Tigers' second baseman, signed up to 3 billion won for three years, Heo Kyung-min is likely to choose the FA declaration.
In particular, Heo Kyung-min has the best performance this year among the four seasons since signing the FA contract. He has a batting average of 347 (87 hits in 251 at-bats) with five home runs, 38 RBIs and an OPS of 0.883 in 70 games until the 3rd. Although he was born in 1990 and is now in his mid-30s, he deserves to be on the market compared to the ransom of infielders in their 30s who recently signed FA contracts.
Will Huh Kyung-min's "third baseman with glasses" be the biggest fish in the FA market and cause a stir in the market.
youll@sportschosun.com
