Even after the end of the postseason, fans are still interested in baseball. The Stove League, the “war of Japan,” will open right away.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will announce the eligible free agent players within five days after the end of the Korean Series. The relevant player will decide whether to exercise his right within two days, and the president of the KBO will announce the FA-approved players a day after the closing of the application. All 10 teams can then engage in FA negotiations with the players they want.
In recent years, a growing number of teams have signed non-FA multi-year contracts with key players early on. The number of cases of long-term FA contracts has also increased. This is why the number of “big fish” for sale has decreased in the market.
There is a possibility that a large contract worth more than 10 billion won will be made. This is because Choi Jeong (37), the star of the SSG Landers franchise, will be eligible for free agency. He is a big hit in the home run category (495) in the KBO League.
It is common for Choi to be a stumbling block to a long-term contract, but he is expected to receive a four-year contract without difficulty. He proved his power to rank third (37) in homers during the 2024 regular season. The symbolism of being a one-club man in the “Incheon Baseball” is also a factor that increases Choi’s value. Six years ago, Choi Jung signed a contract with the SK Wyverns, the predecessor of the SSG, for a total of 10.6 billion won (approx. Attention is focusing on whether he will be able to sign a 10 billion won contract for the second time as an individual.
Heo Kyung-min (34), the “national third baseman,” may also join the FA market. He signed a seven-year contract with his original Doosan Bears in December 2020 for a total of up to 8.5 billion won, and added a clause that allows him to exercise his option four years later.
Heo Kyung-min posted a batting average of 0.309 this season. He also maintained the top batting average until his good pace was cut off due to injury. He has a lot of experience in PS and has leadership. If Heo stays at Doosan without exercising his options, he will receive a total of 2 billion won over the next three years.
The most notable position in the FA market this time is the bullpen pitcher. There are many players with top-notch skills. Kim Won-joong (31) is a representative. He has built 132 saves in his career as the closing pitcher of the Lotte Giants since 2020. His strengths are 150km/h fastballs and big fork balls that are sprayed from his tall height (1m92cm).
Koo Seung-min (34), the Lotte setup man, will also be eligible as a free agent. He has played a must-win role in the team’s victory over the past seven seasons, recording 121 holds (8th overall).
The 2021 season also has “Hold King” (34) and Jang Hyun-sik (29). He is also the “No. 1 contributor” to the overall victory of the Kia Tigers this season. In the KS against the Samsung Lions, he pitched in all of Games 1 to 5, and displayed good pitching.
Noh Kyung-eun (40) is also a veteran player in her 40s but is highly durable. She ranked as the hold king (39) of the 2024 regular season. She also excelled in earned run average (2.90).
Lee Yong-chan (35, NC Dinos), who has 177 saves in his career, and Seo Jin-yong (32, SSG), who has a finishing pitcher experience, are also pitchers who will pay attention to teams with weak bullpen.
Among the starting pitchers, Um Sang-baek (28) of KT Wiz is recognized as the most valuable. He is a side-arm pitcher who throws fastballs twice, including this season. His strength is that he is in his 20s.
Choi Won-tae (27) of the LG Twins also needs to consider recruiting a team that is seeking to beef up its starting lineup. He has ample experience in starting rotation for the last eight consecutive seasons. He can expect to win 10 games during the regular season.
Shim Woo-joon (29) is the “biggest infielder.” He is a shortstop who is armed with the best defense capability in the league as he led the team to win the title at KT in 2021. He proved his improved hitting ability after finishing his military service this season. Ryu Ji-hyuk (30), a Samsung Lions’ “utility player,” and Ha Joo-seok (29), who served as the main shortstop for Hanwha Eagles, also became qualified as an FA.
The KBO League, which surpassed 10 million regular season spectators for the first time since its launch, is expected to send the stove league hot. 스포츠토토
