It's not the time to worry about Cho Sang-woo, Park Chan-ho, and Choi Won-junMajor pitcher Yang Hyun-jong will also become a free agent

Dec 25, 2024

The second game of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd. Yang Hyun-jong, who pitched one run until the fifth inning, is happy with his fist. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.23/

I forgot Yang Hyun-jong.

It has become clear that the KIA Tigers are aiming to win their second consecutive title next year and build a dynasty. In addition to the all-time composition of foreigners, Jang Hyun-sik made a surprise trade to fill the vacancy of Jang Hyun-sik, who left for the FA, with Cho Sang-woo. Next year's draft will hand over the first and fourth round picks and 1 billion won to the Kiwoom Heroes.

That's a clear message. The future is important, but he will try to win the new season right away.

There is a good chance. The championship records are in good shape. It is worth looking forward to Park Chan-ho and Choi Won-jun's 'Career High' including Jo Sang-woo. Because all three of them are prospective FA.

The first FA in his life. He is young and his skills are at their peak. The opportunity to sign the biggest contract. It is obvious that the players will play baseball with the lights on next season, and if that happens, KIA's power will naturally rise.

Sportschosun DB

The problem is after next season. If three main players become FA, it is by no means a good thing for club management. The budget available is limited, because it is practically difficult to catch all of those players. If you focus on a specific player, the rest of the players will be disappointed, but that doesn't mean you can't make negotiations fizzle, and your head will hurt.

The problem is that these three alone seem complicated, and there is a more important player we have forgotten. It's Yang Hyun-jong.

Yang Hyun-jong will also qualify as the third FA in his life if he finishes next season well. After trying to qualify as a FA for the first time since the 2016 season and try to advance overseas, he signed a one-year condition of 2.25 billion won with KIA.

After a short stay in the U.S., he became the second FA ahead of the 2022 season and returned to KIA, agreeing to a total of 10.3 billion won for four years.

The 2024 Real Glove Awards were held at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 1st. Yang Hyeon-jong, chairman of the 13th Korea Professional Baseball Players Association, is taking a commemorative photo. Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.12.01/

And next year, the four-year contract will already end. Yang Hyun-jong will turn 37 next year, and his skills are still 'A-class'. He became a leading player in KIA's overall championship this season, with 11 wins and 5 losses and a 4.10 ERA in 29 games.

Of course, if you sign a third FA contract, you will be 38 years old in the first season, and of course, your performance will decline. Another point is that it is not easy to leave KIA because of its symbolism. But is it easy to negotiate. Rather, it is more difficult for the team to treat players who are permanent absenteeism. SSG Landers Choi Jung signed a four-year, 11 billion won contract in the stove league, which could scratch Yang Hyun-jong's pride.

In fact, Kia's general manager Shim Jae-hak may have to worry about a year later as Yang Hyun-jong's treatment should be considered at the time when there are a lot of internal FA. Even if the salary cap system can be abolished, the burden of player ransom spending could be too high.

awesome@sportschosun.com