The agent came to the U.S. too...KIA, Lim Ki-young, Seo Kang-chang met more than three times, but why didn't they make any progress
Dec 18, 2024
|
|
KIA Tigers are currently negotiating with internal FA pitcher Lim Ki-young (31) and infielder Seo Geon-chang (35). KIA, which won the unified championship this year, is working diligently to strengthen its power more firmly with the goal of retaining the championship next year.
KIA focused on cracking down on house rabbits rather than recruiting external FA, focusing on recruiting high-quality foreign players. KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak recently attended the U.S. Winter League meeting with the team's front desk, showing enthusiasm to examine the new foreigners. First starter James Nail (31) re-signed for a total of $1.8 million (about 2.5 billion won), and newly hired right-hander Adam Oler (30) for $1 million (about 1.4 billion won) as the second starter. Aller has been on the rise since he got a chance in the major leagues in the last three seasons. In addition, Patrick Wisdom (33), a foreign hitter who boasts 88 home runs in the big league, will be added to build a more explosive lineup.
Unlike foreign contracts, the pace of FA negotiations is slow. While right-hander Jang Hyun-sik (29), who was a key bullpen, signed a four-year contract worth 5.2 billion won with the LG Twins on the 11th of last month, Lim Ki-young and Seo Geon-chang have not been able to find an answer for more than a month since the opening of the FA. It is still not easy to coordinate opinions between the club and the players. A difference of opinion means a difference of amount. Players' expectations are higher than the club's expectations.
Regarding the progress of the contract with the two players on the evening of the 17th, KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak said, `I think we met more than three times. During the Winter League, the agent came to the U.S. and talked there. The amount that the agent thinks is different from the amount that the club thinks. I think it will take time to coordinate."
|
Lim Ki-young graduated from Gyeongbuk High School and joined the Hanwha Eagles in the second round of the rookie draft in 2012 and began his professional career. He first formed a relationship with KIA as a compensation player for Song Eun-beom, who moved to Hanwha in December 2014, and built his career by playing in the first team since 2017. He played 244 games, 49 wins and 56 losses, 20 holds, four saves, 809 ⅔ innings, and an ERA of 4.76 in KIA. This year, he was sluggish with 6 wins and 2 losses, 2 holds, 45 ⅔ innings, and 6.31 ERA in 37 games, and external interest is not great as the compensation scale is not small due to FAB grade.
Seo Geon-chang exercised his FA status for the first time this year after four moves. After the 2021 season, he was able to exercise his FA rights, but he continued to give up due to poor performance and bad market conditions. Seo Geon-chang expected to be able to negotiate a little more freely because it was a FAC grade, but it did not attract more attention than expected due to his age in his late 30s and competitiveness falling slightly to first and second basemen. Still, he expects better conditions as he has contributed to KIA's overall championship by batting 0.310 (63 hits in 203 at-bats), 26 RBIs, 40 points, and 0.820.
|
rina1130@sportschosun.com
