“His dedication to the team is a plus”.
Will the Kia Tigers’ oldest hitter, Choi Hyung-woo (40), play through the 2025 season? He signed a three-year free agent contract after this season. He is not a free agent, but a regular contract holder. He can sign a one-year contract like any other player, but it’s more likely to be a multi-year contract. There may be disagreements on the type of contract, such as 1+1, but a two-year contract seems to be the default.
General manager Shim Jae-hak said, “We met with his agent and will decide after seeing his physical condition. From the club’s point of view, a one-year contract is best, but his dedication to the team is a plus. If possible, there is a possibility of a two-year contract with options. I hope the player and the club can come to a reasonable agreement.”
Choi will turn 40 this December. Next year, he’ll be 41. He is old enough to sign a one-year contract. However, the club appreciated Choi’s dedication to the team since joining KIA, leading the team to victory and becoming a role model for younger players. 먹튀검증토토사이트 They may disagree on the size of his salary and options, but it seems that they will honor him for two years.
The Samsung dynasty player became a free agent after the 2016 season and donned a Tigers uniform.
It was a massive four-year, 10 billion won contract. In 2017, he excelled as a fixer-upper and a solid No. 4 hitter. He batted .342 with 26 home runs, 120 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.026, leading the Tigers to their 11th championship.
In 2020, he won the batting title and was eligible for free agency for the second time, signing a three-year, $4.7 billion contract. His 2021 season was a career-low due to eye problems and a thigh injury, and he struggled in the first half of 2022. However, he bounced back in the second half of the season with a 3.3 percent batting average, so his 40th year had the potential to be both a bounce-back year and a down year.
It turned out to be the former.
He was a solid pillar at the top of the order, batting fourth. He was a workhorse, ranking second in walks (15). He hit a respectable .887 OPS with 17 doubles, 17 home runs, and 86 RBIs. He was also 3-for-1 with runners in scoring position. It’s an unbelievable performance at a tender age. His season came to an untimely end when he suffered a compound fracture of his right clavicle in a collision with the first baseman during a last-place playoff run.
However, he has been praised for his rejuvenation and will be able to continue his career on the strength of his performance. Of course, the size of the contract also attracts attention. Choi’s salary this year is 900 million won. The terms are expected to be a tug of war. If it is a multi-year contract, the club is expected to analyze his future performance including his performance, achievements, and injury rehabilitation.
Above all, it is amazing to be able to overcome the heartbreak of being released and wear a uniform until the age of 42. He joined Samsung as a catcher in 2022, but was released after the 2004 season without seeing the light of day. He was 21 years old. After a three-year hiatus, including a stint in the military, he rejoined the team in 2008 and began a spectacular professional career. He became the league’s leading hitter with five championship rings. He is a true free agent myth.