Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 182

#181. Do What You Want

[If you ask me what I do in the winter without baseball, I would say I look out the window and wait for spring.]

These are the words of Rogers Hornsby, one of only seven players in Major League history with a career OPS [On-Base Plus Slugging, a key baseball statistic] of 1.000 or higher, along with Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Barry Bonds, Jimmie Foxx, and Hank Greenberg.

While these are romantic words, they may be a bit detached from reality.

For baseball players, winter is their only period of rest.

Professional baseball players, who have to travel around to baseball stadiums nationwide throughout the season, have many things to take care of during this off-season.

Postponed weddings, moving, surgeries, treatments, and time for family.

From the end of November, when all schedules, including finishing training, are over, to the end of January, it’s only about two months.

It is far from enough time to handle all the work that has been piling up for a year.

Players are in a slightly better situation.

Despite being involved in the same baseball world, the winter for front office staff is a bit more hectic.

This is true in all aspects except that the 1 PM start-10 PM finish that continued throughout the season disappears and returns to regular working hours instead.

Calculating performance ratings for players who have worked hard throughout the past year, negotiating salaries, handling various administrative tasks for spring training camp, repairing facilities that have become worn out here and there due to being used throughout the year,

Promoting trades to fill the team’s shortcomings, and assigning newly recruited rookie players to appropriate positions.

Above all, contracts with in-house free agents (FAs), external FAs, and foreign players are significant and important issues that will determine the team’s success for the year.

In the Warriors team’s largest conference room, CEO Park Seong-hoon and General Manager Park Jae-cheol, along with front office team leaders, are gathered in one place, watching the TV screen.

– This is KBC Sports News. This is very welcome news for those who like baseball. Here’s news about player Ryu Han-gyeol. Reporter Jeong Hye-yeong is out there at the Daejeon team. Please come out.

“Oh, it looks like he’s really going.”

“Shhh, be quiet.”

– Yes, this is Jeong Hye-yeong. In a moment, the Daejeon Falcons briefing room will hold an official announcement from the club regarding Ryu Han-gyeol’s Major League posting [a system where a KBO team allows a player to negotiate with MLB teams].

“Well, I guess the news is that they’re officially applying for posting? Um, the important thing is where he’s going…”

“From what I’ve heard, Ryu Han-gyeol seems to prefer the West Coast.”

“Really? Well, that area is good for playing baseball.”

“So, I was wondering if it might be the Dodgers?”

“Hmm, but their starting slots are full.”

“Well… they can always make room, and they have money to burn.”

“True.”

“Wait a minute, quiet, they’re about to announce it.”

The conference room became quiet again at someone’s voice.

And after a while, news about Ryu Han-gyeol was announced through the mouth of the Daejeon Falcons general manager in front of the camera.

– Hello, I’ll get right to the point. Daejeon Falcons has officially completed the posting application to the Major League Secretariat through the KBO [Korea Baseball Organization]. Therefore, Ryu Han-gyeol will negotiate with all Major League clubs for the next 30 days, and we will announce the final result again. That’s all.

– Wait a minute! General Manager, then……

Click

General Manager Park Jae-cheol turned off the TV himself, but the commotion in the conference room still did not stop.

“He’s really going to America. Now that they’ve applied for posting, it feels real.”

“With Ryu Han-gyeol’s caliber, I don’t think anything will go wrong in the negotiation process… the key is the salary.”

“How much will he get?”

“At the very least, wouldn’t it be over 5 million per year?”

“5 million? Hey, no way. I’ve heard it’s over 8 million.”

“Really? Wow… this is a big deal. Then the baseline is too high.”

“Wait, how much can Lim Jun-yeong get then? 5 million?”

“It’ll be tough to get up to 5 million. He’s older, and his detailed stats are like that too.”

“Then about 3 million?”

“That might be possible?”

“Hoo, then how much do we have to give to keep them in the country?”

“Okay, quiet.”

Park Jae-cheol, who had been watching the team leaders’ commotion for a while, said.

“Okay, I won’t say much. As you all saw, Ryu Han-gyeol’s future among the BIG 3 pitchers has been virtually decided to be in America. The agents of Lim Jun-yeong and Choi Gyeong-jae have been avoiding direct meetings, but it will be different from now on. A benchmark has been set, so they will try to start negotiations based on that.”

“That’s right, General Manager.”

“The CEO is here at the meeting, so it would be better for him to speak directly. CEO, please speak.”

At Park Jae-cheol’s words, Park Seong-hoon nodded lightly.

It’s time for the decisive battle.

If the 7th game of the Korean Series was the most important stage for the players, then this moment is the time for the front office to pour everything out.

Park Seong-hoon’s mouth opened.

“There’s no need for long words. We will not put any restrictions on the budget in this FA recruitment war. At least, I don’t want to hear the excuse that we failed to sign a contract because of money. The goal is to recruit two external FAs who will be the mainstays of this team. Feel free to fight over money. Go fight and be sure to win and come back.”

* * *

The emergence of Han Su-hyeok benefited not only the Warriors and the KBO.

Here, there is a person who may have benefited the most.

“Hello, this is Sports Invitation. With Ryu Han-gyeol’s posting application, the full-scale FA recruitment war has begun. Today, we have commentator Go Dong-sik with us.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Go Dong-sik, who has come out with useful information today.”

Go Dong-sik, who became the only full-time commentator at KBC from a contract commentator who had to renew his contract every year, received the greeting with the happiest face in the world.

Over the past year, Go Dong-sik faced several layoff crises due to his biased commentary on Han Su-hyeok, but Go Dong-sik never backed down, and as a result, he gained overwhelming support from baseball fans and stands here today.

It was only natural that Go Dong-sik’s view of baseball would be even more biased towards Han Su-hyeok.

“Commissioner, first of all, Ryu Han-gyeol, who was the biggest concern in this stove league [off-season period of player transactions], has finally started his full-fledged overseas advancement. So, now it’s time for the remaining players to move. Which players are there?”

“This FA market seems to be particularly hot this season. Lim Jun-yeong and Choi Gyeong-jae, who were called the domestic pitcher BIG 3 along with Ryu Han-gyeol, have not yet decided whether to go overseas or stay in Korea. In addition, Park Do-yul of the Suwon Commanders and Yang Ji-ho of the Gwangju Jaguars have acquired their second FA qualifications.”

“Two top-class starting pitchers, a starting closer, and a starting pitcher… Hoo, these are splendid names just to look at. Then, Commissioner, who should we pay attention to on the hitter side?”

“Lee Chan-ho of the Seoul Fighters, who has acquired the qualifications to advance overseas after completing 7 seasons, is by far the biggest player. Wasn’t he called the best hitter in Korea until Han Su-hyeok appeared? Now that Ryu Han-gyeol has applied for posting, Lee Chan-ho is also expected to attempt to advance overseas as soon as possible.”

“There are quite a few other decent players, right?”

“Yes, Min Ju-hyeon, the third baseman of the Incheon Rangers, the runner-up team last season, has acquired his second FA qualification. Ahn Tae-gyu, the shortstop of the Suwon Commanders, is also expected to be very popular in the market as a national-level shortstop.”

“Thank you. So, what we’re curious about now is which teams will be smiling after this stove league is over. After all, Incheon Rangers, Seoul Magicians, and Suwon Commanders are the three teams that are leading the way in terms of financial power and investment, right?”

“Of course. In the case of the Seoul Warriors, the champion of last season, it seems that they will focus all their efforts on internal control, such as re-signing with Cho Seong-oh, rather than external recruitment, as they have limitations in financial power. The three teams you mentioned are expected to be the main characters of this stove league.”

“Thank you for your comments. Oh, wait a minute. There’s news coming in during the broadcast. Let’s deliver this first… Commissioner, there’s breaking news about Incheon Rangers ace Lim Jun-yeong.”

“What’s the news? I turned off my smartphone because I was preparing for the broadcast, so I haven’t seen anything.”

“Huh? It seems that Lim Jun-yeong’s future has already been decided?”

“Yes?”

* * *

“Jun-yeong hyung [older brother/friend], I was going to contact you first.”

“Su-hyeok, thank you for coming out. Sit here first. Isn’t it cold outside?”

“It’s really winter now.”

The moment of decision, which may be the most important in Lim Jun-yeong’s life, was approaching.

There weren’t many options during the first FA [Free Agency, allowing a player to sign with any team].

No, to be precise, he was frustrated by the thought of being abandoned by his parent team, so he left everything to his agent and did nothing.

Numerous clubs contacted the young ace-class pitcher, but he didn’t care where he went.

Lim Jun-yeong joined Incheon simply because the conditions were the best.

And time passed.

As the years went by, his parent team fell further into disrepair, and Lim Jun-yeong lifted the championship trophy in Incheon.

It was an indescribably complicated feeling.

Jo Seong-oh, Lee Man-sik, and some juniors.

Every time he met them, he felt like he was seeing family members he had left in his hometown.

He wanted to go back, but there was no way.

Even if he got his second FA, he didn’t think the Warriors would be able to take him.

When Ohkang Group started selling the club, he had a glimmer of hope, but when he heard that a strange company called Iconic Partners had taken over, he gave up even the remaining hope.

To fill that emptiness, Lim Jun-yeong turned his attention to the United States.

If he gets his second FA, he will go to the United States and take on a new challenge, then will this empty heart be filled a little bit?

He set a goal in that way and spent each day.

“American clubs are already sticking around, right? Is there any place you like?”

“Um.”

There are countless choices in front of Lim Jun-yeong right now.

The agent’s strongest recommendation is to challenge the big leagues.

A significant number of big league clubs have directly and indirectly made various offers to Lim Jun-yeong.

Simply looking at the money, going to the United States is unconditionally advantageous.

Even Lim Jun-yeong was surprised at the amount he heard for the first time in his life, even if it wasn’t as much as Ryu Han-gyeol, who was 5 years younger.

But.

“Su-hyeok.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“I wonder if I can ask you this, you who are younger than me… now a 1st year pro…….”

“If I can’t listen and answer, I’ll forget it.”

“Okay, thank you. It’s not about anything else, it’s about America…….”

At the beginning of this season, he had roughly made up his mind.

If a reasonable offer comes from the United States, he will try to challenge it.

If not, he will choose a domestic club that offers good conditions. His original team, Incheon, is good, but it doesn’t really matter where he goes.

Of course, if an offer comes from his parent team, it will be the top priority…….

Honestly, he didn’t think deeply about that part. The Warriors don’t have the money to give him.

“What should I say, I used to think that going to the United States and taking a starting spot… even if it was the 5th starter, it would be pretty cool just to throw the ball there.”

“Yes.”

“But… when I saw you smashing the American kids at the WBC [World Baseball Classic] last time, I thought, is it really necessary to go to the big leagues? Was I really trying to go to the United States because I wanted to? Or was I just chasing the illusion of the big leagues? What do I really want?”

“I understand.”

“Hehe, yeah. Thank you for understanding. Anyway, I feel a little relieved after telling you this. Honestly, I don’t need a lot of money? I’ve never felt any inconvenience in making a living. I just… I…….”

I didn’t bother answering.

I just listened quietly to Lim Jun-yeong’s words.

“Hoo… it’s a funny story, but I have no idea what to do, Su-hyeok.”

Only after the real sincerity came out of Lim Jun-yeong’s mouth did I finally say what I wanted to say.

“Hyung, I know because I’ve done it. If there are two choices, what you have to do and what you want to do, choose the latter. A player’s career is short. You can just ignore other people’s opinions or advice. You just have to do what hyung wants to do.”

“…I…I.”

“If what hyung wants to do is to come back to the Warriors, you don’t have to worry about anything else. Just do it. I’ll help you make that happen.”