The compensation alone is up to 2.1 billion won. Multi-year X 1 year 700 million contract renewal genius hitter FA reservation. Counting the second 10 billion catchers since Yang Eui-ji

Jan 25, 2025

After KT and Doosan's second doubleheader game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 12th, KT catcher Kang Baek-ho left the ball behind during Doosan's Jung Soo-bin at-bat in the bottom of the second inning, he is regretful. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2024.05.12/

The 4th semi-PO match between LG and KT at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 9th. Kang Baek-ho is cheering after hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the 5th inning. Suwon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.10.9/

The second round of semi-PO between LG and KT at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 6th. KT Kang Baek-ho is hitting an RBI sacrifice fly with one out and runners on first and third in the third inning. Jamsil = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2024.10.06/

There are still two months left to start this season, but I'm already curious about the FA market after the season.

All baseball fans are bound to pay attention to which team will take the genius batter.

In the end, KT Wiz's Kang Baek-ho virtually declared FA. KT announced the results of the contract with 64 people subject to renewal on the 25th, and re-signed Kang Baek-ho for 700 million won. Kang Baek-ho, whose annual salary was 290 million won last year, rebounded with a batting average of 289, 26 home runs and 96 RBIs, and as a result, he signed 700 million won, up 410 million won (141.4% increase rate).

Kang Baek-ho, who joined KT as the No. 1 rookie in the second round of the 2018 season, increased his salary every year, recording a record of 550 million won in his fifth year. However, batting performance fell due to injuries and slumps in the 2022-2023 season, and annual salary fell to 290 million won. However, he miraculously rebounded by changing his position to catcher last season, and the KT club congratulated him on his revival with a big salary increase.

If he continues his good performance this season, Kang Baek-ho is likely to open all clubs' wallets as the `biggest fish' in the FA market after the season. If you hit the corner outfielder, first baseman, and multi-defensive players that can even see catchers, any team has no choice but to drool.

KT might offer a non-FA multi-year contract, but the result was a one-year contract. Kang Baek-ho, who is also thinking of going overseas, seems to be challenging the FA qualification, not remaining at KT on a multi-year contract, to leave all possibilities open.

Samsung-KT match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 28th. Kang Baek-ho is heading home after hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning. Suwon = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.6.28/

KT Kang Baek-ho hits a come-from-behind solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning in the second game of a doubleheader between Samsung and KT at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 30th. Suwon = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2024.06.30/

The KBO League KT Wiz and Hanwha Eagles match held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 23rd. KT Kang Baek-ho is training as a catcher. Suwon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.04.23/

If Kang Baek-ho becomes an FA, he is likely to become the biggest fish in the FA market at once. Kang Baek-ho's annual salary jumped to 700 million won, and Kang Baek-ho's FA grade will become A grade. In the case of a transfer to a batting team for Grade A, the recruiting team must compensate KT for one player and 200% of the previous salary in addition to 20 protected players. KT will make all-out efforts to sign a contract with Kang Baek-ho, but if it is taken away, it will bring one compensation player along with 1.4 billion won. If a compensation player is not selected, he or she will receive 2.1 billion won, which is 300% of his previous salary.

Kang Baek-ho, who is clearly the best in Korea, had an ambiguous defensive position. He played as an outfielder and first baseman, but his defense was not evaluated as stable. So he mainly played as a designated hitter. However, with the introduction of ABS last year, the stress of catchers such as framing was reduced, and Kang Baek-ho suddenly stepped up as a catcher. Since Kang Baek-ho was a catcher and pitcher at Seoul High School, he played as a catcher thinking that he might be better than a first baseman or an outfielder.

Kang Baek-ho showed better-than-expected defense as a catcher although he did not train properly before the season. KT registered Kang Baek-ho's position in the KBO as a catcher.

If you receive proper catcher training this season, you can show better performance than last year, establishing a solid position as a backup catcher, which can be a big factor in increasing the ransom in the FA market.

Yang Eui-ji holds the highest amount of FA catcher ransom ever. Yang Eui-ji, who received a total of 12.5 billion won four years after moving from the Doosan Bears to the NC Dinos, returned from NC to Doosan four years later and received a total of 15.2 billion won for six years. Yang Eui-ji is the only catcher who has signed a contract of more than 10 billion won so far. Kang Baek-ho could become the second catcher in the 10 billion won range.

If he makes a good performance this season, Kang Baek-ho's background could be a pressing matter of interest. The joys and sorrows can be greatly divided depending on whether it is going overseas or staying in Korea.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.