Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 277

277. A Challenge for a Dream (3)

While Donald Watson and Michael Scott were pursuing opportunities overseas, and Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju’s free agent (FA) negotiations were underway, the salary negotiations of other players were also taking place.

In particular, because everyone had performed better this season than last year, the salary negotiations proceeded smoothly.

And even though Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju had publicly announced their intention to advance to Major League Baseball (MLB), news of domestic clubs planning to recruit them was frequently heard.

Thanks to Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju being free agents who could negotiate with all clubs, there were many teams interested in them besides the Buffaloes.

It was clear that both players were prioritizing a move to the United States, but there was no reason not to listen to offers from domestic clubs.

I first met with Choi Min-sung, the Buffaloes’ general manager.

“Representative Kang, welcome. Please, have a seat over here,” Choi Min-sung said, rising from his seat and gesturing to the opposite chair.

As soon as I sat down, Choi Min-sung continued the conversation.

“You must be very busy these days, negotiating here and there?”

“This season is especially hectic. There are so many things to take care of.”

“How are the contracts with Seok-hoon and Seong-ju going?” Choi Min-sung asked, looking at me cautiously.

“We are currently exchanging proposals. It seems we need to wait for the major contracts in MLB to be settled before we can proceed more quickly.”

“This is truly… I have mixed feelings, so I myself am having complicated thoughts,” Choi Min-sung said with a faint smile.

“I hope that our Seok-hoon and Seong-ju will go to a bigger stage and perform well, but at the same time, I also hope they will stay with our Buffaloes and perform even better.”

“I feel the same way. For the sake of Korean baseball, it’s good for our players to advance to MLB and perform well, but when star players leave the Korean league, the impact on the league’s popularity is not insignificant.”

“Are they getting a lot of attention from the American teams as well?”

“It’s true that we are receiving many inquiries from various teams. We need to carefully consider the specific contract terms.”

“I had already anticipated that. They are such good players, so it’s inevitable that they would attract attention from the United States,” Choi Min-sung said, taking a breath.

“Still, in case they might remain in the Korean league, I would like to make a contract offer from our side. You never know what might happen.”

“We have no reason to refuse,” I said, giving him a relaxed smile.

“As I mentioned before, if our club loses both players, the loss of our team’s strength would be too great. It’s even more so because we narrowly missed winning the championship this time.”

I nodded in response.

“Our parent company has decided to open their wallets generously this time.”

“…….”

Perhaps it was because of Choi Min-sung’s confident expression, but even in that brief moment, I naturally swallowed hard.

“Would a 4-year contract for 15.5 billion won [approximately $11.7 million USD] be enough to capture our players’ hearts?” Choi Min-sung asked cautiously.

“Oh…….”

It was a better offer than the 15 billion won that Na Jun-ho had signed with the Dragons.

Moreover, it was a 4-year contract instead of 6 years, so the annual salary would be much higher.

“It’s the largest total amount among the contracts that have been signed in the free agent market so far. We have put enough sincerity into it, and it could also be a symbolic record, so I think it would be attractive enough for both players.”

“Then, what is the proportion of performance-based incentives here?”

“The guaranteed amount is 10.5 billion won, including the signing bonus, and the incentives are 5 billion won. The incentives can be easily achieved if they play full-time without any long-term injuries.”

“Are these conditions applied to both Seok-hoon and Seong-ju?”

“Yes, if the two players show their willingness to sign with us, we plan to give them the highest amount in history.”

Choi Min-sung said with emphasis in his voice.

The title of being the player with the highest contract was definitely a merit, although there would come a day when it would be broken.

“Thank you for the good offer. It’s clear that the Buffaloes think highly of our players,” I said, pausing for a moment before continuing.

“But for now, we are prioritizing a move to MLB. I wish I could give you an answer right away, but we still need to review the offers from MLB. It seems we need more time.”

“Of course. I didn’t think I could get an answer at this meeting,” Choi Min-sung replied, trying not to show his disappointment.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Instead, if you are considering staying in the domestic league, you must negotiate with us first.”

“Of course. Both players have a lot of affection for the Buffaloes,” I replied with a smile.

I was about to wrap up the conversation, but Choi Min-sung casually added a word.

“So Young-joon will also become a free agent next year, right?”

“Time flies so fast.”

“Representative Kang, you are always busy. This year and next year, you have so many players who can shake up the free agent market.”

“I am really grateful to be with such players,” I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Is there a high possibility that So Young-joon will transfer?” Even though Choi Min-sung tried to maintain a poker face, it was impossible to completely hide the expectations that were flowing out.

“Why do you think so? If the Pelicans make an offer that he can’t refuse, the possibility of him staying cannot be ignored.”

“Well, anything can happen in the free agent market,” Choi Min-sung said, slightly raising his shoulders.

“Can I assume that the Buffaloes are interested?”

“Let’s talk about the specifics later,” I nodded in response.

With that, I concluded the conversation with General Manager Choi Min-sung.

It was definitely positive that Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju had received a good offer from their original team, the Buffaloes.

* * *

I immediately moved to meet with Jo Gwang-hoon, the Jaguars’ general manager.

“Oh, welcome, Representative Kang. Thank you for coming all the way. Please, sit down,” Jo Gwang-hoon greeted me with his usual bright smile.

Then, he continued the conversation with a wider smile.

“Is our Woo-jin doing well with his conditioning?”

“He is training hard at the agency’s training center. You shouldn’t think of the way you saw him a while ago.”

At my words, Jo Gwang-hoon asked with a deeply worried expression.

“He’s not throwing, is he? Our coaching staff must have told him to rest his arm enough before joining the team, right?”

“Of course. We are managing him thoroughly as well. We are focusing on physical training and weight training, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Okay, okay. Oh, I was worried for nothing when Representative Kang is here,” Now, the shadow on Jo Gwang-hoon’s face disappeared and a smile appeared.

“We will support him so that he can perform well from the first game of next season.”

“Let’s aim for the Rookie of the Year award this time. I don’t even remember when our club had a player who won the Rookie of the Year award. It’s about time one came out.”

“Woo-jin is ready to contribute immediately, so it’s worth aiming for.”

“Yes, and since our team won the championship this time, it seems like it’s not impossible if we maintain our power well.”

“That’s right.”

It was obvious that as a pitcher, he would have a much higher chance of achieving good results with the help of his teammates.

“But we need to maintain that power well.”

Before I knew it, a shadow fell on Jo Gwang-hoon’s face again.

Then, he cautiously brought up a topic.

“How are Watson and Scott doing these days?”

“The two players have performed so well. We are receiving offers from various teams.”

“Hoo- I guess so,” Jo Gwang-hoon took a deep breath and continued.

“Still, we have to make the offer we have prepared. We can gather the maximum amount and prepare up to $2.3 million USD for Watson and $2.5 million USD for Scott. What do you think?”

“It seems like the Jaguars are really determined?” I replied, trying not to lose my composure.

“Representative Kang, you know my personality, right? I’m not the type to hide and drag things out even if I can give more, right?” Jo Gwang-hoon said, putting strength in his eyes.

“Of course, of course.”

“It’s really the maximum amount that our club can offer. Frankly speaking, I don’t think we can do more than this.”

$2.5 million was probably the highest amount that a domestic club could realistically offer.

It was an offer that clearly showed that the Jaguars really valued Scott and Watson.

But as before, all I could say right now was this.

“We need to take some time as well. We need to listen to the offers from MLB. But you should probably start thinking about a replacement for Watson in advance. The offers from MLB are quite positive right now.”

“Ah……. Is that so?”

Disappointment was deeply etched on Jo Gwang-hoon’s face.

“In fact, Scott has also received a very attractive offer. It’s best to assume that the possibility of him staying with the Jaguars is very low.”

“Well…… I was expecting it enough. I have to accept it,” Jo Gwang-hoon nodded and added a word.

“Then, how about Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju? Is there a possibility that the negotiations will go wrong?”

“Are you interested in Seok-hoon and Seong-ju?”

“The batting champion and home run king came out in the free agent market, so of course, I have to be interested. Even if Watson leaves, we can definitely reinforce our team. Moreover, they are both in their early 30s. If they sign this contract, it’s also the time when they will be at their peak.”

“Of course, that’s right.”

“What kind of offer would be enough to sway them?” Jo Gwang-hoon asked, leaning towards me.

“Why don’t you make an offer first, General Manager?”

“Oh, Representative Kang. Are you going to be like this between us? Give me a little hint.”

“Hmm, a hint?”

“It would be good for both of us if our Jaguars made a good offer and signed a contract.”

“Then, I’ll tell you just a little bit.”

“Tell me quickly,” Jo Gwang-hoon urged, leaning closer.

“Maybe you should offer an amount that we have never seen before?”

“An amount we have never seen before……?” Jo Gwang-hoon asked, busily racking his brain.

“He’s the batting champion, the home run king, and he’s still in his early 30s. You’ll have to wait a long time for a player like this to come out in the free agent market again.”

“That’s true.”

“And you never know. Maybe they’ll change their minds and say they’ll stay in Korea.”

“Really?”

Jo Gwang-hoon’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

“For now, both players are prioritizing a move to MLB. Take your time to think about it.”

With that, I concluded the meeting with General Manager Jo Gwang-hoon.