I'm going to study at my own expense. Will I repay Cho Sang-woo's surprise trade
Dec 20, 2024
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Pitcher Cho Sang-woo (30), who has emerged as the winning pitcher of the KIA Tigers, decided to go to the U.S. at his own expense. He decided to leave for Seattle on the 23rd and spend a month at Driveline, a pitching training center. Cho Sang-woo had a disappointing season due to injuries this year, but he prepared to upgrade to the next level as he became the first FA in his life after completing the next season.
There has been a big change in the desire to prepare for the 2025 season. KIA announced a trade on the 19th that gave 1 billion won in cash to Kiwoom Heroes and the first and fourth rounds of rookies in 2026 and received Cho Sang-woo. KIA tried to sign Cho Sang-woo's trade during this season, but it failed, but this time it paid off.
There was a bold decision by KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak. As internal FA Jang Hyun-sik (29), who was a key bullpen, left for the LG Twins, it was inevitable to strengthen his power. Shim contacted Kiwoom General Manager Ko Hyung-wook to meet an hour before the Golden Glove Awards on the 13th. At this meeting, he proposed Cho Sang-woo's trade and formed a consensus with general manager Ko. The two leaders, who met again at the executive committee on the 16th and 17th, quickly concluded the negotiations.
He didn't mind losing his rookie nomination rights. "In the season, Kiwoom wanted the first and third rounds," Shim said. The value of the nomination right then and the nomination right now is a little different. So we were in a situation where we could pick fifth in the first round, and next year, we will win the first round for the 10th time. He is the 10th and 40th player in the first and fourth rounds. So the scouting team and the data team ran the simulation together"
We then looked back at who could bring in players from the 10th and 40th and 40th candidates in the domestic scouting part. The scout team said it was worth a try. He told me that a player that I can catch at that level is possible with our player (who is on the team now) and that the data team needs to try it," he added.
Above all, KIA won the integrated championship this year, but it was coolly judged that next season was the last time to go all-in on the championship. We cannot ignore the aging of key players such as Choi Hyung-woo (41), Yang Hyun-jong (36) and Na Sung-bum (35).
Head Shim said "In a way, his contract with (Choi) Hyung-woo is until next year. (Yang) Hyun-jong is now old, and (B) Sung-beom also thought coolly that our maximum power would not be until next year. So I was a bit bold," he stressed.
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General manager Shim knew that Cho Sang-woo had prepared for the driveline training. KIA has recently sent promising pitching players to the driving line every year to help them grow, and this time, in the process of preparing to dispatch players, Cho Sang-woo also came to the training at his own expense. It was a moment when I unexpectedly gained confidence in Cho Sang-woo's health.
General manager Shim said "I'm trying to send our players to the driveline by accident, but Cho Sang-woo is also going. A driveline is a place you can't go if you're not healthy. However, I thought that my health condition was proven to some extent because I told him that I was going at my own expense. Above all, Jo Sang-woo was needed in the team," he stressed.
Cho Sang-woo was left due to a shoulder injury at a time when he emerged as the best seller in trade this season. After the match against the Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon on August 10, he no longer appeared in the game. He recorded 44 games, six saves, nine holds, 39 ⅔ innings and a 3.18 ERA.
Regarding his physical condition, Cho Sang-woo said "In fact, the pain had already been caught before the end of last year's season. But anyway, the team told me not to overdo it and to rest a little more, so I rested a little early, but I'm preparing well without any pain anymore"He expressed confidence that he didn't have to worry.
Training in the United States for a month is expensive, and Cho Sang-woo showed a willingness to bear the burden of his own money. What do you want to reinforce in the driveline.
Jo Sang-woo "First of all, I thought I worked out hard and made my body well while in the military, but it wasn't as good as I thought. My body feels better, but I'm going to study why I couldn't use more strength. The driveline tells us a lot about how to use power. That's what I'm trying to look for when I'm happy", he explained.
An KIA official expressed expectation, saying, `Cho Sang-woo's main weapon is a fastball of 150km and a sharp slider, and a proven pitcher who combines various pitching types such as splitter, change-up, and curve.' If Cho Sang-woo shows the pitching he expects next year, KIA can build a stronger must-win group than this year, when he won the championship.
Cho Sang-woo won the first relief king with 33 saves in 2020 and played as Kiwoom's closer with a career-high 88 saves. KIA's existing closer Jung Hae-young (23) is the youngest ever to have 100 saves (121 saves in total). If Jung Hae-young and Cho Sang-woo create synergy as they draw a competitive structure, KIA will not be disappointed with the bleeding of the rookie nomination rights.
Cho Sang-woo said, "KIA is the winning team again this year, and it's a really good club. I know that there is a lot of support from KIA fans. I will do my best to repay you with good results next year"I'm determined.
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Reporter Kim Min-kyung rina1130@sportschosun.com
rina1130@sportschosun.com
