38 million won in 2020 → 510 million won in 2024 →? It's 600 million won for the legend. Will the on-base king jump?
Dec 22, 2024
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Hong Chang-ki, who recently achieved a steep annual salary increase, is aiming for another leap this winter. Hong Chang-ki's salary has increased more than tenfold over the past five years.
Hong Chang-ki, who was 38 million won in 2020, jumped to the starting lineup that year and recorded a batting average of 279 and a 114 hit on-base percentage of 0.11 in 135 games. It immediately reached an annual salary of 100 million won in 2021. In 2021, he became the on-base king with a batting average of 3.28 percent, 172 hits, 109 walks, and an on-base percentage of 0.456 and won the Golden Glove. In 2022, the annual salary jumped to 320 million won. In 2022, he slowed down to a batting average of 286 and an on-base percentage of 0.390, renewing his contract with an annual salary of 300 million won in 2023, a cut of 20 million won.
However, it succeeded in rebounding again in 2023. With a batting average of 332, 174 hits, 109 runs, and an on-base percentage of 0.444, he won his second Golden Glove, becoming the top scorer and second on-base king. It signed 510 million won, up 210 million won in salary negotiations this year. He was named the highest-paid player among non-FA players on the team.
Hong Chang-ki, who had a career high with a batting average of 336 and 176 hits this season, won his second consecutive on-base hit with an on-base percentage of 0.447. Unlike last season's unified championship, the salary negotiations may not be easy due to the disappointment of the team's performance in the playoffs as third place in the regular league, but the increase factor is likely to be sufficient.
It is in a situation where it is challenging for the annual salary of the all-time legend. LG's highest non-FA salary is 600 million won. This is the amount recorded by LG's legends, Sanghoon Lee and Lee Byung-kyu.
After returning from Japan and the United States, Sanghoon Lee showed off its robustness with 7 wins, 2 losses and 18 saves in 2002, and signed a contract for an annual salary of 600 million won in 2003. At that time, it was the highest amount for a pitcher, exceeding 500 million won for Jung Min-tae. Although Sanghoon Lee had advanced overseas, it could be recorded as the highest non-FA since it was signing a one-year contract, not a multi-year contract after returning.
Lee Byung-kyu also left for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan in 2007 as an FA, played three years and returned in 2010. Lee Byung-kyu, who hit .338 with 164 hits, 16 homers and 75 RBIs in 2011, received 600 million won in salary negotiations in the 2012 season, and also received an annual salary of 600 million won in 2013 ahead of the FA.
Hong Chang-ki has five years of FA recognition until this season. If you play seven years because you are a college graduate, you will be eligible for FA if you play healthy until the 2026 season. Even if it does not exceed 600 million won this year, it may aim for the highest annual salary in 2026, the FA season.
Will Hong Chang-ki, who has been recognized as the best top hitter, who has been on base three times in the past four years, be able to surpass legend and record the highest non-FA ransom. It's an interesting point.
indyk@sportschosun.com
