I thought you were going to re-take the FA, but what a trick...Choi Joo-hwan signs 2+1+1 non-FA multi-year contract with Kiwoom
Nov 05, 2024
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Kiwoom Heroes and Choi Joo-hwan joined hands again. And it's an unusual contract. It is a format in which the option for the contract year is increased twice.
Kiwoom officially announced on the 5th that it signed a non-FA multi-year contract with Choi Joo-hwan.
Choi Joo-hwan was able to qualify as a FA for the second time after this season. Ahead of this season, he wore a Kiwoom uniform as the No. 1 overall player in the second draft, and he performed well with 13 home runs and 84 RBIs, but his batting average was low at 257, making it difficult to apply for FA without hesitation. It was unclear whether there would be a team that would take Choi Joo-hwan at risk in compensation with grade B.
In the end, Choi Joo-hwan was excluded from the list of FA applicants announced on the 5th. I thought you were choosing to re-take the FA.
However, Choi Joo-hwan and Kiwoom used tricks. It was a non-FA multi-year contract. It is a condition of receiving up to 1.2 billion won per year for 2+1+1.
The conditions are as follows. Two years of the next season, next year, is a guarantee. The annual salary is 300 million won each. And it is a condition that if detailed options are met, they will be extended twice a year. If you fill it up for four years, it will be 1.2 billion won.
Choi Joo-hwan graduated from Gwangju Dongseong High School and was nominated by Doosan Bears in the second round of nominations for rookies in 2006. He transferred to the SK Wyverns through an FA contract worth a total of 4.2 billion won in 2021, and wore a Kiwoom uniform as the No. 1 overall pick in the second draft in 2023.
Choi went 1,172 for 4,243 with 128 homers and 678 RBIs in 1398 games in 17 seasons.
Kiwoom said, `I am happy to continue to be with veteran batters with quality infield defense skills and long shots,' adding, `Choi Joo-hwan is a role model for younger players by leading by example both on and off the field in addition to his baseball skills. With his unique cheerful personality, he instills bright and positive energy into the team. I look forward to your future performance" he said.
Choi Joo-hwan said, `I think the 2024 season spent at Kiwoom immediately after signing will be very memorable in my career. "I'm disappointed, but I think I had more fun playing baseball than ever before. Thank you for choosing me and offering me a multi-year contract." There were also concerns about applying for the FA, but I wanted to stay at Kiwoom and be with my fellow players until the end of my career. I'll do my best for the rest of the year"He expressed his determination.
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