Choi Jung (37), the symbol of SSG and the core of the team’s still power, and his team SSG are adjusting the contract over a de facto “final contract.” SSG has already promised to treat Choi Jung unfortunate, and Choi Jung’s side is also weighing on staying rather than transferring. It is certainly not that there is a big turbulence in the negotiations. Nevertheless, many fans are expressing their doubts as they have not heard of the conclusion of the contract.
However, SSG is confident in concluding the Choi Jeong negotiation, saving details. SSG had a meeting with Choi Soon after the end of the season and put on the table a total of more than 10 billion won (approx. Sometimes, it considers the opponent’s intention with a lower amount than it has in negotiations and then begins negotiations on the amount afterwards. However, SSG explained that it did not measure Choi Jeong’s symbolism and contribution, and suggested the maximum amount that the club could withdraw from its balance.
In response, the disagreement in terms of total amount was not so big from the beginning. The atmosphere of negotiations is not bad. However, even a month has passed since the first offer was delivered to Choi Jeong, a multi-year contract for non-FA was not made. It is natural for public opinion to cast doubt, asking, “Is there something?” It is more so because he is not another player, and he is Choi Jeong. If other teams are on the FA market, they can freely negotiate with Choi Jeong, and the atmosphere is good now, but we still don’t know how the situation will go. In order to block variables, it is desirable to conclude negotiations before coming to the FA market.
The list of eligible players and their compensation ratings have already been disclosed. Players must decide whether to exercise their qualifications and notify the KBO by the 4th. Then, the actual players who will appear in the FA market will be announced on the 5th, and negotiations with any team will be possible from the 6th. For SSG, there is only one or two days left before Choi Jeong can enter the FA market to finalize negotiations.
The two, who confirmed each other’s opinions, are scheduled to meet again on the 4th to coordinate again, and the industry predicts that technical solutions will remain in the details rather than the total amount. For this reason, even if the final conclusion is not reached in the negotiations on the 4th, the string of negotiations is expected to continue. 안전놀이터
Negotiating with FA qualifications does not mean that negotiations will go back to square one as the rough guidelines between each other are already standing. SSG may tie up one more protected player in recruiting an outside FA, or Choi Jung may receive a “amount of money” down payment that cannot be received in a non-FA multi-year contract. If the total amount or rough guidelines are agreed before the FA market opens, signing a contract after the FA market opens is not a bad thing for each other. There is a possibility that the negotiation table will be settled quickly, if not the first contract.
If Choi agrees to a four-year contract with SSG, he will effectively pave the way for becoming the “Jongshin Incheon Man.” Choi, who received the first nomination from SK in 2005, has dedicated a total of 2,293 KBO league games to Incheon so far this year. He has set a new home run record with 495 home runs in the KBO league, and has achieved enough results to be called a living legend in various records. He also showed off his strong performance this year by batting 0.291, 37 homers, 107 RBIs and 0.978 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 129 games. After his four-year contract ends in 2028, he will be 41 years old, and he can also write down his history as a one-club man himself.
