Director Lee Kang-chul "It's more a waste of 5 billion Shim Woo-joon than 7.8 billion Um Sang-baek " Why?

Nov 10, 2024

사진=김용 기자

[Wakayama (Japan) = Reporter Kim Yong of Sports Chosun] "Um Sangbaek is also Um Sangbaek, but it's a waste of Shim Woojun."

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul has been in charge of the final training in Wakayama, Japan since the 20th of last month.

Manager Lee had to keep up with the turbulent news of the FA market in Japan. Eom Sang-baek and Shim Woo-joon, who belonged to KT, transferred to Hanwha Eagles for a total of 7.8 billion won and 5 billion won, respectively. KT couldn't stay still either. It invested 4 billion won to recruit Huh Kyung-min, a former Doosan Bears one-club man.

"The FA market is flowing like a storm," Lee said with a smile at the Wakayama Kami Tonda Stadium on the 10th.

photo courtesy of Hanwha Eagles

Huh Kyung-min, a high-quality third baseman, came, but the disappearance of key starters and center defenders cannot help but be bothered by the coach. Um won 13 games this season. If 13 wins are missing, it will be a fatal blow. Shim Woo-joon is a fast-footed player who can steal more than 30 bases if he plays the full season as well as stable shortstop defense.

Director Lee said "In fact, Um Sang-baek was expecting to say goodbye. I heard a lot of rumors after the market opened, and I thought the gap with the amount we offered was large. Oh Won-seok was brought in as a trade here. He explained, "I thought we could prepare for Um Sang-baek's transfer because we have five starters."

It doesn't mean that he's a player who doesn't need to be severely injured. KT has plenty of pitching staff. It is that it can be replaced. The mid-season exclusion will also return to the starting line of Ko Young-pyo, So Hyung-joon, and Oh Won-seok.

photo courtesy of Hanwha Eagles

But the beast is in a different situation. Young players have not been able to come up as the main players. Director Lee said, `It's a waste of Shim Woo-joon. What a waste. There should be a replacement, but I don't see a replacement among the fielders. In the current situation, Kim Sang-soo should be used as a shortstop, followed by Yoon Jun-hyuk. I want Kwon Dong-jin to come up as well."

Still, Heo Kyung-min's joining in is comforting. Manager Lee said "I and the club were on the same page. If Shim Woo-joon didn't work, he had to bring Heo Kyung-min. There are too few players to bat with"He welcomed the addition of a .300 hitter.

First of all, Lee's plan is to put Heo Kyung-min at third base. In that case, Hwang Jae-gyun has to move his position. Director Lee said, `First of all, I'm thinking about Hwang Jae-gyun's conversion to first base. I've been thinking that Hwang Jae-gyun should go to first base to grow his future third base resources", he explained.

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