Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 30

30. First Salary Negotiation (2)

-Considering Oh Seok-hoon’s appropriate salary to be between 75 million and 80 million won.

-Experiencing extreme stress due to the general manager’s style of trying to cut player salaries at all costs.

I gleaned one piece of information from the general manager and another from the operations team leader.

It was a shame that the information from the operations team leader couldn’t be used immediately in this meeting.

However, the information from the general manager alone was a great help.

Since our designated salary was at least between 80 million and 90 million won, it seemed there wouldn’t be much difficulty if the negotiation went well.

“Then shall we begin right away?”

“Let’s do that.”

Kim Min-hwan and I took out the documents from our bags and placed them on the table.

“First of all, I apologize for saying this.”

The general manager spoke first while we were organizing our things.

“As you know, our team failed to advance to the postseason again this year. As a result, various revenues have decreased, and support from the parent company is not as good as last year, so the club’s operating expenses have been significantly reduced. We’ve been smoothly advancing to the postseason for the past few years, so even I feel strange about the current situation. First, I ask for your understanding on that matter.”

Kim Min-hwan paused, taken aback by the general manager’s preemptive strike.

“Let’s talk about it slowly for now.”

Kim Min-hwan avoided committing to anything, not wanting to be cornered.

“Then shall we hear what the agency has prepared first?”

The general manager gestured towards us.

Kim Min-hwan nodded to me, signaling me to begin.

“Then I’ll begin.”

I handed out the materials I had prepared to the general manager and the operations team leader.

The two of them slowly turned the pages, reading the contents.

“Oh Seok-hoon played in 43 games this year. Except for the two games where he was substituted in, he started in all of them. In 140 at-bats, he recorded a batting average of 0.343, 24 RBIs [Runs Batted In], and 4 home runs.”

Even as I continued, I didn’t notice any significant changes in the expressions of the general manager and the operations team leader.

“It can be said that he immediately secured a position as the starting right fielder after being called up to the first team. He recorded a WAR [Wins Above Replacement] of 1.25 and a wRC+ [weighted Runs Created Plus] of 130.5. He showed performance that wasn’t just slightly better than other players in the Buffaloes, but also competitive when compared to the entire league.”

“Wait a minute. I see a few issues here.”

The general manager leaned forward and interjected.

“What are you referring to?”

“Oh Seok-hoon only joined in the second half of the season. When he was called up, some of the top-ranked teams were already somewhat settled in their standings. Even lower-ranked teams were removing many of their starting players and increasing the opportunities for young, promising players. Considering that, I don’t think it’s reasonable to judge this performance as Oh Seok-hoon’s true ability, is it?”

The general manager, as if he had already prepared for this, retorted without wavering in the slightest.

“In fact, the points you mentioned are difficult to prove objectively. However, what I can show you without any room for argument is that Oh Seok-hoon is currently the starting right fielder for the Buffaloes. He played as a starter until the very end, and it can be easily proven by comparing his performance with that of other players who could be considered his competitors for the position this season.”

I had already anticipated this rebuttal, so I didn’t panic and answered as prepared.

“Kwak Seung-chan, who was our team’s starting right fielder, saw his batting slump in the second half of the season, which made Oh Seok-hoon’s performance look better. If Kwak regains his form next year, won’t Oh Seok-hoon’s position become precarious?”

“Even if Kwak Seung-chan regains his form next year, it will be more beneficial for the team if Oh Seok-hoon remains the starting right fielder.”

“What’s the basis for that?”

The general manager looked at me with interest.

“As you know better than anyone, the Buffaloes’ home stadium is one of the largest in the country. It’s even large compared to Major League stadiums.”

As I turned a page and continued the conversation, Kim Min-hwan next to me nodded with a satisfied expression.

“What do you think was the reason for Kwak Seung-chan’s slump?”

“Well, his batting average dropped.”

At the sudden question, the general manager crossed his arms and answered with an expression that had completely lost its smile.

“That’s not the only reason. As the season progressed, he couldn’t put enough power into his hits, and many balls were caught in front of the fence. If you turn to the next page, you can see it well in the indicators.”

Listening to my words, the general manager and the operations team leader turned a page to examine the data.

“As the frequency of balls that would have been home runs in the early season being caught by fielders increased, he put even more strength into his body. As a result, he couldn’t find his batting balance more and more as the season went on.”

“Are you saying that Kwak Seung-chan doesn’t fit our team?”

“No matter how big the stadium is, we need home run hitters. But even if Kwak Seung-chan regains his best condition, it will be difficult for him to be competitive in the right field position right now. It also means that Oh Seok-hoon, who can hit a solid double or triple at any time, is more valuable.”

The general manager didn’t say anything for a while, as if he couldn’t think of any more rebuttals even after racking his brain.

“So, how much salary are you thinking of?”

At the general manager’s question, Kim Min-hwan took over the conversation.

“Since you say that operations are difficult, I think it would be good for the club to suggest first.”

“Then we’ll suggest first. As you know, we have no choice but to present based on performance evaluation criteria. And as I said before, we are in a situation where we have to reduce the size of the team’s salary due to the overall reduction in club operating expenses, so there are many difficulties.”

The general manager shuffled the documents in front of him.

“Based on our performance evaluation criteria this year, it seems that about 60 million won would be appropriate for Oh Seok-hoon. Do you agree?”

60 million won?

It was far short of the information I obtained from the general manager’s information window, as well as our minimum estimate of at least 80 million won.

“Ha… General Manager. Do you perhaps not know how much Seok-hoon’s salary was this year?”

“It was 50 million won this year.”

Unlike Kim Min-hwan, who asked with a sigh as if he was dumbfounded, the general manager answered with an expression as if nothing was wrong.

“And yet you’re saying 60 million? He hit at a pace of 15 home runs and 100 RBIs this year. How many players in the Buffaloes have achieved this kind of performance?”

“There’s no guarantee that he can play 144 games at that pace. And above all, baseball is a team sport. You should fully reflect the fact that our team’s performance was not good this year.”

“The Buffaloes were able to break their losing streak and fight for a postseason spot until the end because of Oh Seok-hoon, wasn’t it?”

Kim Min-hwan’s face turned red at the general manager’s absurd proposal, and he raised his voice.

“Hasn’t Oh Seok-hoon had a few instances where he did well for a short time and then slumped? The naive former general manager believed in his few years of shining after his debut and gave him a big raise, but what happened the following season?”

“The situation is different from then. This time, from the moment he was called up to the first team until the last game, the Buffaloes news was all about Oh Seok-hoon.”

“That’s why we offered an increase from last year’s salary. Even though our team didn’t even step on the postseason threshold this year.”

As the conversation continued, unlike the general manager who seemed peaceful, Kim Min-hwan’s face became redder and redder, as if it would explode.

“General Manager. The season is over, and you’ll be busy from now on, so let’s not meet multiple times and just finish it neatly today.”

“If you put your stamp on our proposal, it will end neatly.”

Fatigue and anger were felt simultaneously in Kim Min-hwan’s eyes as he looked at the general manager.

The air in the negotiation room felt heavy in an instant.

“General Manager. Has the Buffaloes’ performance evaluation criteria changed this year?”

“The criteria itself hasn’t changed. However, since the situation is not favorable, there is a slight adjustment in the amount.”

As soon as the general manager finished speaking, I picked up a pen and pretended to calculate something, writing something down.

“Then, if it were normal, you would have given Oh Seok-hoon about 80 million, right? Even considering that the amount has been adjusted this year, it seems like it would have been calculated to be around 75 million.”

At the sudden specific numbers I brought up, the eyes of the general manager and the operations team leader widened simultaneously.

“Uh… based on what criteria?”

“It’s not a criterion, but just something I personally analyzed. I also referred to the salary negotiations of other players in the Buffaloes so far, and it seemed to be around that much.”

Seeing the general manager unable to continue speaking properly, losing his gaze, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

I tried hard to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out and continued to pretend to write something.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

The general manager suddenly stood up, and the operations team leader next to him was also surprised and stood up in a hurry.

“I have to negotiate with other players later. The conversation is getting too long.”

Seeing this, Kim Min-hwan turned his head as if he was tired, and eventually pushed the chair hard and stood up.

“I expected it, but it’s not easy this year either.”

Kim Min-hwan glared at the general manager and answered irritably.

“It seems like it’s time. Where is Seong-ju? Has he arrived yet?”

The general manager, turning his head, asked the operations team leader.

“I’ll contact him right away.”

Surprised by the sudden question, the operations team leader hurriedly picked up his phone.

“Are you talking about Park Seong-ju? He probably won’t come today.”

“I’m sorry. I already have an appointment with Park Seong-ju. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

The general manager smiled at me, trying to appear relaxed.

“I didn’t tell you this. We happen to be handling Park Seong-ju’s negotiation instead.”

“What…? I thought Park Seong-ju didn’t have an agent.”

“It seems the rumor hasn’t spread that far yet. We signed an agency contract with him yesterday.”

I took out a copy of the contract I had signed with Park Seong-ju from the documents and shook it.

The general manager narrowed his eyes and read the contents, then made an expression as if he had lost his country [a Korean idiom for being utterly defeated or losing all hope].

“If it’s time for the appointment with Park Seong-ju, shall we move on to Park Seong-ju’s story?”

I pointed to the chair with both hands, signaling him to sit down, towards the general manager who was standing blankly.

Kim Min-hwan, who was watching this scene from the side, burst into a smirk.

I smiled brightly and sat back in my seat.

“General Manager, please sit down quickly?”