I'm in my late 30s, and I'm finally offering more than 10 billion won, can I sign a multi-year contract before the market opens?
Oct 30, 2024
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SSG Landers Choi Jung (37) is considered the 'biggest fish' among the players who will qualify for the FA. KBO will announce the list of FA qualification players five days after the end of the Korean Series. If a player submits an application for two days after the announcement, FA negotiations are possible from then on. Since this year's Korean Series ended on Oct. 28, the FA roster will be announced on Nov. 2.
However, Choi Jeong is more likely to remain in SSG. The SSG club has been pursuing Choi Jeong's multi-year contract before the end of the regular season, and began full-fledged negotiations with Choi Jung after the team's season was completely over.
The final offer is already over. It is known that the total amount exceeds 10 billion won on a four-year basis. The SSG club is currently putting other contracts down to the next rank and making 'all-in' on the Choi Jung contract. Noh Kyung-eun and Seo Jin-yong have other players who are eligible for FA, but they have a firm standard that the contract for Choi Jeong, a franchise star and called KBO League Living Legend, should be the top priority. I have asked other players for some understanding.
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If Choi Jeong stays, he will remain forever 'One Club Man'. Choi Jung-eun, who joined the SK Wyverns (currently SSG) in 2005, is a player who has never left the team or played in only one team until this season without moving the league. He still has competitive edge as the main third baseman and the leading hitter. Choi Jeong's performance this season is also the best in the team with a batting average of 291, 37 home runs-107 RBIs and 136 hits in 468 at-bats in 129 games.
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However, it is still difficult to determine whether the form of the contract will be a non-FA multi-year contract or after the FA market opens. As of the 29th, the club also said that "I don't think we'll even announce it within one to two days"." With the opening of the FA market imminent, the best picture is to remain with the club in the form of a non-FA multi-year contract, but other variables should be considered if coordination between the two sides takes more time than expected.
This year, the FA market is expected to signal Choi Jeong's contract.
youll@sportschosun.com