The other team is aiming? FA's biggest fish Choi Jung, how long has the multi-year contract negotiations been going on

Sep 12, 2024

The other team is aiming? FA's biggest fish Choi Jung, how long has the multi-year contract negotiations been going on
The match between SSG and Hanwha held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 16th. SSG Choi Jeong hit his 30th solo home run of the season in the fourth inning. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2024.08.16/



SSG Landers' symbol and KBO League living legend. What is the possibility of Choi Jeong signing a multi-year contract, who will become an FA at the end of this season.

SSG's leading hitter Choi Jeong is actually the FA market 'the biggest fish' this winter. I've already met the FA conditions for the third time. He signed a four-year total of 8.6 billion won in 2015, when he was the first FA, and four years later, in 2019, he became the second FA qualification and signed a six-year total of 10.6 billion won with the SK Wyverns (current SSG). And before I knew it, I filled all six years. Choi Jeong is still playing as the team's main player, key hitter, and main third baseman.

Choi's ransom is expected to be a considerable amount again this time. Once Choi Jung signed the second FA, the overall average amount of the KBO league's FA market has jumped. Some of them had a bubble controversy over excessive amounts. However, the situation in the market where demand exists and the trend of the times when the total amount exceeds 15 billion won have already created this atmosphere.



The other team is aiming? FA's biggest fish Choi Jung, how long has the multi-year contract negotiations been going on
SSG and Kiwoom match at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 7th, and SSG Choi Jung, second base with no outs, is advancing with a hit ball in the top of the 8th inning. Gocheok = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.08.07/
In this situation, rumors are circulating that there are other teams seeking to recruit Choi Jeong. In fact, it is known that 1-2 teams are also considering recruiting Choi Jeong 'if possible'. From the perspective of SSG, the original team, it is a situation that cannot help but be concerned in many ways.

In reality, it is best for SSG to sign a multi-year contract before Choi Jung goes to the FA market. Choi Jung also said at the beginning of the season, `To be honest, I hope I will perform well and receive good treatment. I think the club will do well" he once expressed his intention.



SSG has also been preparing early on. We know that signing a non-FA multi-year contract is the best way to honor Choi Jung rather than checking other clubs. Due to the player's tendency to want a stable environment, the possibility of transfer to other teams is extremely slim. Choi Jung has also said several times that he has never imagined retiring from a team other than SSG. This is why Choi Jung, who holds a new home run record, was less in the spotlight than pitchers such as Choi Won-tae (LG), Um Sang-baek (KT), and Kim Won-joong (Lotte). This is because the possibility of remaining is much higher.

The other team is aiming? FA's biggest fish Choi Jung, how long has the multi-year contract negotiations been going on
A game between SSG and Hanwha held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 10th. SSG Choi Jeong hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2024.09.10/
If so, how much negotiations have been conducted to stay in the non-FA multi-year contract. The SSG club continued to talk with Choi Jeong's agency while forming a consensus. An SSG official said, `We have been talking with Choi in a positive atmosphere. We are exchanging opinions well in a good atmosphere"The negotiations so far have been reported.



I can't imagine Choi Jeong playing for a team other than Incheon. The same goes for the fans. The SSG team is also well aware of this atmosphere. When SSG finishes this season, in addition to Choi Jung, Noh Kyung-eun and Seo Jin-yong, the core members of the bullpen, will qualify as FA. We also need to discuss contracts with these players, but first of all, Choi Jung is the top priority. Permanent absenteeism is also a strong player, so this priority is certain. SSG also wants to finalize the contract as soon as possible.



youll@sportschosun.com