Let's see the appropriate price. Why don't we get the FA when we're the winning team? Trade reversal, money spent differently

Dec 28, 2024

Game 5 of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. He won the Korean Series with a 7-5 victory in the top of the ninth inning. The players are cheering in the background of the crowd. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.28/

When the KIA Tigers missed Jang Hyun-sik, the biggest fish among internal FA last month, there was clearly a concern.

A total of three Kia players declared FA after the end of the season. They were Jang Hyun-sik, Lim Ki-young, and Seo Geon-chang. Among them, Jang Hyun-sik is the top priority in the negotiations. He is a player who has consistently played a must-win role in KIA since the trade was acquired, and was the most contributing bullpen pitcher for KIA to win the regular season and the Korean Series this year.

Of course, Kia has recognized the need. However, he finally missed Jang Hyun-sik. Jang Hyun-sik transferred to the LG Twins on the condition of a four-year total guarantee of 5.2 billion won. In fact, it is a fairly shocking condition to give full guarantees to bullpen FA pitchers without options. However, LG, which desperately needed to strengthen the bullpen and recruit alternative finishes, succeeded in capturing Jang Hyun-sik's heart with hot conditions. The down payment is 1.6 billion won, and the rest of the annual salary of 3.6 billion won is shared every four years. KIA also tried to catch Jang Hyun-sik, but failed to bet that amount.

A match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions in Game 2 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 23rd. KIA Jang Hyun-sik, who struck out Samsung Kim Young-woong with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, is cheering. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.23/

There was a lot of concern. Jang Hyun-sik is a pitcher who played a key role in KIA's bullpen, including Jeon Sang-hyun and Jung Hae-young. Although KIA has won this year's championship, they also know that the performance the year after the championship is important. KIA had suffered a severe aftermath of the next year's victory in the previous two wins (2009 and 2017) after the parent company changed. This is why we must prevent a right angle fall after winning the championship.

However, KIA did not move much in the FA market this time. He did not set up an active negotiation table with the so-called big fish players, and missed Jang Hyun-sik, who was considered the most important member of the three internal FA players. KIA team also expressed regret, saying, `Actually, the player we needed the most is Jang Hyun-sik.'

Game 5 of the Korean Series between Samsung and KIA at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. He won the Korean Series with a 7-5 victory in the top of the ninth inning. Director Lee Bum-ho and Kim Sun-bin are cheering. Gwangju = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.28/

KIA, which won the title this year and had a solid parent company, did not lose the player due to lack of money. But he kept a firm principle of 'appropriate value'. Shim Jae-hak also said, `When it comes to recruiting FA this year, we couldn't help but think about 'appropriate price'. Of course, it would be good if there were many good players, and it would be good to bring good players, but I think there is a reasonable price for players. I thought there was a risk to overdo it here. In particular, in this year's market, we thought a lot about whether there was a player who could bring us for this amount, but we decided not to do that. In the end, he adhered to the principle that there is no overpayment.

Cho Sang-woo. Photo =KIA Tigers Official SNS

And at an unexpected time, he played a game with a big trade. Bringing Cho Sang-woo, the closer of the Kiwoom Heroes and a former save, he gave up the first and fourth rounds of rookie nominations and 1 billion won in cash. Cho Sang-woo, who received high attention for his `trade sales' throughout the first half of this year, eventually fell into KIA's arms only after the season was over. KIA succeeded in maintaining its 'Winnow' stance by giving away two rookie nominations and 1 billion won in exchange for a trade. From Cho Sang-woo's point of view, he has enough motivation because he will be eligible for FA a year later, and KIA also aimed for that part and aimed for 'Winwin'.

Although Seo Geon-chang remains an unregistered contractor, he signed a three-year contract with internal FA Lim Ki-young for up to 1.5 billion won. In addition, he has virtually completed his team plan for the 2025 season by replacing a foreign hitter with Patrick Wisdom, a former big leaguer with long-range power, from Socrates Brito. KIA, which had been passive since the opening of the FA market, turned around with a trade. It is a clear message that money will be spent differently and maintain the top grades.

youll@sportschosun.com

Let's see the appropriate price. Why don't we get the FA when we're the winning team? Trade reversal, money spent differently

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