Salary cap is a stumbling block? Why didn't team A even make an official offer to Kim Sung-wook

Jan 16, 2025

Kim Sung-wook signed an FA contract with the friendship team NC. Sports Chosun DB

Actually, there was no outside offer. Kim Sung-wook ended up staying in his home team.

FA outfielder Kim Sung-wook remains with the NC Dinos. The NC club officially announced on the 16th that it signed outfielder Kim Sung-wook, an FA member, for a maximum contract period of 300 million won for two years. Kim Sung-wook can receive an additional 50 million won in down payment, 200 million won in two-year total guaranteed annual salary, and 50 million won in incentives.

With this, Kim Sung-wook can maintain the title of One Club Man. Kim Sung-wook, who was drafted by NC with the 32nd overall pick in the third round in the 2012 rookie draft, is a founding member of the team and a franchise player. He played in 962 games for NC and recorded a career batting average of 238 with 78 homers and 293 RBIs. It ranks fourth in the club's record for most games played and eighth in the club's record for most home runs.

사진=NC 다이노스

The conditions are not generous. FA infielder Seo Geon-chang, who is four years older than Kim Sung-wook, signed a contract to remain with the KIA Tigers and signed up to 500 million won, including a down payment of 100 million won and an annual salary of 240 million won and incentives of 160 million won.(The 2026 contract is automatically extended if the 2025 option is met.) However, it was difficult for Kim Sung-wook to receive a larger amount. The NC club needs all of its internal FA players from the beginning. But we don't overpay," he said, reiterating that there is no unreasonable investment by setting an internal standard number.

In the end, in order for the ransom to be 'jump', there must be competition with other teams for recruitment, but the reality is that there were few practical external love calls. Kim Sung-wook has been in contact with the NC club since the opening of the FA market, but the actual terms of the contract were later offered. Rather, there were many predictions that there would be a connection with the A team that needs to reinforce outfield right-handed hitters from the outside.

Sportschosun DB

In fact, team A was interested in recruiting Kim Sung-wook. It was not a very specific interest, but it was at the level of review at the request of the site. And this interest did not even lead to a contract offer. Team A also had no room for salary cap, and opinions were divided internally over the recruitment of Kim Sung-wook. It only grasped how discussions were taking place after the opening of the FA market.

If he was in a situation where he was desperate to recruit, he could have considered other methods such as signing and trading, but this was also not close. Club A was interested in focusing more on internal development, abandoning the possibility of recruiting early on.

Now Kim Sung-wook has to promise 'next'. He signed a two-year contract on somewhat disappointing terms, but he is still in his early 30s, so he should aim for a second FA after two years of good performance.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.