'Dismisses rumors of transfer to other teams → Chances of remaining' But why does Choi Jeong declare FA?

Nov 04, 2024

The match between SSG Landers and Kiwoom Heroes at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 30th. In the bottom of the fourth inning, SSG Choi Jung, with two outs, is cheering after hitting a full base. Incheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.09.30/

SSG Landers' franchise star Choi Jung will eventually be listed on the FA disclosure list. It's a very likely situation to stay, so why is that.

The SSG club has been discussing a multi-year contract with Choi Jeong since the end of the season. Choi Jeong was scheduled to obtain FA qualification, and although the list was not officially announced, negotiations have continued because he can also sign a non-FA multi-year contract with his original team, SSG.

Many predicted that the best 'good picture' would be to announce the contents of the contract before the FA market opened in the form of a non-FA multi-year contract. The reason is the symbolism of the player. Choi Jung-eun made her professional debut with the SK Wyverns and has been a star player since her debut. He is a "one-club man" who has played for nearly 20 years so far in only one team, without overseas expansion or transfer to another team. At the same time, he is also a talented player who is still competitive. He has surpassed Lee Seung-yeop as the KBO league's career home run record holder, and has maintained a long slump-free performance as SSG's main third baseman and leading hitter.

The game between KT Wiz and SSG Landers in the KBO League's fifth-place match at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 1st. SSG Choi Jung is cheering after hitting a solo shot with one out in the top of the 8th inning. Suwon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.01/

Therefore, fans hoped to sign a multi-year contract early on. Before Choi Jung acquired the FA qualification, there were many views that the club should show that it would be a `yes' to hold it as soon as possible. This is also why the club felt a lot of pressure. Of course, the SSG club has also fully acknowledged Choi's value and contribution and expressed its intention to treat him reasonably.

Meanwhile, rumors of a transfer to another team were circulating. In fact, it is true that some other clubs were interested in Choi Jeong. Although it is highly likely to have to pay a three-digit ransom, Choi Jung was evaluated as a practical 'maximum' in the FA market this year. However, SSG has also been negotiating with Choi Jung as its top priority, and positive discussions continued until recently.

However, in the end, it is expected to be in the form of an FA contract, not a non-FA multi-year contract. An official from the SSG club said on the afternoon of the 4th "I met with Choi Jung-side today and talked positively. The player wants to proceed with the FA contract, so he will announce it after signing on the 6th when the FA market opens."

This means that Choi Jung has not signed a contract yet because he hopes for an FA contract rather than a multi-year contract. The SSG club has already presented the total amount of the highest treatment level set by the club. The total amount based on the total amount is likely to be more than 10 billion won. Just because Choi Jung declares the FA does not mean that the amount itself will change or that negotiations will change significantly. However, non-FA multi-year contracts and FA differ in the detailed form of contracts that players and clubs can sign. Perhaps because there were conditions that Choi Jung wanted, he decided that the FA method was better than a multi-year contract.

Negotiations are positively underway, and Choi Jung-eun is expected to be listed on the list of FA declarations to be announced by KBO on the 5th. And the SSG club and Choi Jung will finally meet on the afternoon of the 6th to finalize the contract. If there is no major unexpected event, Choi Jung is highly likely to be the first FA contract this year.

youll@sportschosun.com

'Dismisses rumors of transfer to other teams → Chances of remaining' But why does Choi Jeong declare FA?

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