'Who applied for the FA and why did he give up?' Heo Kyung-min 3 years and 2 billion won → Seo Geon-chang 4 times → Seo Jin-yong's second try

Nov 05, 2024

Doosan's Huh Kyung-min hits in the bottom of the seventh inning of the first wild card game between KT and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 2nd. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.02/

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The list of qualified players announced by KBO on the 2nd was a total of 30 (13 new, 9 re-qualified, and 8 qualified players). Among them, only 20 players submitted actual FA applications, except for those who have already announced their retirement from active duty and those who have been released.

SSG won the game between SSG and Kiwoom 6-2 at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 7th. Seo Jin-yong and Lee Ji-young are shaking hands after the game. Gocheok = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.08.07/

Players who delayed or gave up the FA declaration even though they were not eligible for retirement or release are noticeable. At the Doosan Bears, Kim Jae-ho gave up his FA application. Kim Jae-ho acquired his third FA qualification, and although he is rated C, it seems that he did not apply for FA considering various circumstances such as the team's situation. KT Wiz veteran infielder Oh Jae-il also did not apply.

SSG Landers Seo Jin-yong's superstition is also notable. Seo Jin-yong earned his first FA qualification since the end of this season. Based on the rating system, it falls under grade B. However, unlike the 2023 season when he was the league's save king, this season took a considerable amount of time to improve his condition after surgery, and he decided that he did not perform fully afterwards. Seo Jin-yong, who was contemplating the FA declaration after the end of the season, seems to have chosen to re-do it again after a long hiatus.

Kiwoom Heroes Choi Joo-hwan also did not declare FA. Choi Joo-hwan signed a four-year contract with SSG Landers during the first FA and moved to Kiwoom last year. He qualified for the second time by completing the four-year period, but chose to stay in Kiwoom without going to the market.

Kiwoom and KT at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 28th, and Kiwoom Choi Joo-hwan hits an RBI timely hit with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the third inning. Suwon = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.09.28/

In addition, Lotte Giants left-hander bullpen Jin Hae-soo, Hanwha Eagles veteran catcher Lee Jae-won and Kiwoom veteran outfielder Lee Yong-kyu did not apply even though they were eligible for FA. Most of them are veteran players.

All three KIA Tigers pitchers Lim Ki-young, Jang Hyun-sik, and infielder Seo Geon-chang applied. In particular, Seo Geon-chang has as many as four FA applications. Seo Geon-chang has continued to postpone his declaration despite the FA requirements. Seo Geon-chang, who moved to KIA after the end of last season, will finally be able to declare FA after winning the championship with his hometown team.

The match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. Seo Geon-chang of KIA with no outs and first base is buntting in the bottom of the third inning. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.21/

In the Samsung Lions, infielder Ryu Ji-hyuk and outfielder Kim Hun-gon both applied for FA, and Choi Won-tae, the only FA target for the LG Twins, will go to the market. Doosan was applied by pitcher Kim Kang-ryul and infielder Heo Kyung-min. In the case of Huh Kyung-min, he signed a 4+3 year contract with Doosan for a total of 8.5 billion won, and four years have passed. If Huh Kyung-min does not apply for an FA, he will remain at Doosan for three years and 2 billion won, but as he applied for an FA, he has to start negotiations anew.

KT Woo Kyu-min is pitching hard in the third round of the semi-playoff between LG and KT at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 8th. Suwon = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.08/

Pitchers Um Sang-baek, Woo Kyu-min, and infielder Shim Woo-jun applied for KT. Veteran Woo Kyu-min's FA application stands out. For SSG, pitcher Noh Kyung-eun and infielder Choi Jeong applied, and in the case of Choi Jeong, the first FA contract is likely to be signed on the 6th as they have been discussing a multi-year contract with SSG.

Lotte was applied by closer Kim Won-joong and bullpen agent Koo Seung-min. Hanwha's infielder Ha Joo-seok, NC's closer Lee Yong-chan, pitcher Lim Jung-ho, and outfielder Kim Sung-wook applied. In Kiwoom, only pitcher Moon Sung-hyun will enter the FA market.

◇2025 FA-approved roster (20 players in total)

KIA = Lim Ki-young, Jang Hyun-sik, Seo Geon-chang

Samsung = Ryu Ji-hyuk, Kim Heon-gon

LG = Choi Won-tae

Doosan = Kim Kang-ryul, Heo Kyung-min

KT = Um Sang-baek, Woo Kyu-min, Shim Woo-jun

SSG = Noh Kyung-eun, Choi Jeong

Lotte = Koo Seungmin, Kim Wonjoong

Hanwha = Chairman Ha

NC= Lee Yongchan, Lim Jung-ho, Kim Sung-wook

Kiwoom = Moon Sung-hyun

youll@sportschosun.com

'Who applied for the FA and why did he give up?' Heo Kyung-min 3 years and 2 billion won → Seo Geon-chang 4 times → Seo Jin-yong's second try

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