Why did Kiwoom Heroes allow Jung Chan-heon (33) to sign and trade (transfer after signing contract)?
Kiwoom recently reached an agreement with Jeong Chan-heon regarding ‘SAT’. Jeong Chan-heon, who was announced as a free agent (FA) in 2023 by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on November 16 last year, has not confirmed his move for more than two months. ‘Sat’ is a way to break through a blocked passage. Because it is traded after signing a contract with the original club, it can flexibly deal with the FA grade compensation issue. Kiwoom is in a position to receive only annual salary compensation instead of giving up player compensation.
Jeong Chan-heon’s FA grade is B. A club that recruits a B-class free agent must compensate the original club for 100% of the previous year’s annual salary of the recruited player and one other than 25 protected players. In the case of cash-only compensation, 200% of the previous year’s annual salary must be handed over. Jeong Chan-heon’s annual salary for the 2022 season is 280 million won. Kiwoom, who will not choose player compensation, plans to receive only 560 million won in compensation for the transfer. It’s not a small amount, but considering that most clubs are reluctant to compensate players, it can act as a turning point to change the atmosphere in the free agency market.
Kiwoom initially did not consider 메이저사이트 ‘Sart’ at all. Whenever the possibility of ‘SAT’ was brought up inside and outside of professional baseball, he protested, saying, “We have never used the expression ‘SAT’ first.” But he changed his stance. A high-ranking official from the club said in a phone call with this magazine, “Shouldn’t the player have a way to go. I want you to think of it as a consideration because I can’t make it as difficult as it is. I can’t (concede) any more.”
Ahead of the spring camp that starts on February 1st, players from each team are leaving the country one after another. Jeong Chan-heon, who has no team, has no choice but to do individual training. Analysts say that Han Hyun-hee, who was an uncontracted free agent along with Jeong Chan-heon, recently signed a contract with the Lotte Giants (3+1 years, up to 4 billion won), which also influenced this decision. After considering various factors internally, Kiwoom made a big decision.
Jeong Chan-heon recorded 5 wins and 6 losses with an ERA of 5.36 in 20 appearances as a starter last season. He performed worse in the second half (2 losses, 7.27 ERA) than in the first half (5 wins, 4 losses, 4.55 ERA). He had a 0.302 batting average and a 1.53 on base per inning pitched (WHIP) on the season. Quality starts (less than 3 earned runs in 6 or more innings) were 5 times.
After Kiwoom joined the LG Twins as a trade in July 2021, Jeong Chan-heon’s performance was 8-9 in 31 games with an average ERA of 4.82. At the time, Kiwoom sent veteran second baseman Seo Geon-chang to bring in Jeong Chan-heon. Expectations were so high, but he is currently not considering his stay. Chan-heon Jeong had already conveyed his intention that “a contract is not easy if an FA declaration is made” even before he applied for free agency. He judges that it is not easy to transfer, so even if he stays, he cannot have a good influence on both the team and the players. This is also a message to the entire team.
Jeong Chan-heon is actively seeking a new team. Brion Company, who acted as his agent, said, “(After hearing that Sat is possible), I contacted the club. I heard that the club would review about 2-3. I think we will have to see the situation by early February,” he said. I improved my physical condition faster than in previous years. When I join any club, I have no problems in training.”