A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 250

64. News from America (1)

The next day, morning.

At the first team leaders’ meeting since winning the Korean Series, Ji-seop’s trip to the United States was officially announced.

“Oh, really? Our Special Advisor Kim?”

The team leaders, having heard the news from Director Seo Chang-gi, were as delighted as if it were their own affair.

“Wow, Special Advisor Kim! Congratulations! You know, I knew Special Advisor Kim would get there soon!”

“Special Advisor Kim, this isn’t just lip service, right? We’ve said it among ourselves many times. Special Advisor Kim should be sent to the big leagues as soon as possible.”

“It’s great for Special Advisor Kim, but isn’t this also a win for our Cannons? This is the first time the head office has offered a study abroad opportunity to someone from the baseball team, right?”

Congratulations, Special Advisor Kim.

Work hard, Special Advisor Kim.

Clapping, cheering, and slapping Ji-seop on the back.

At first, the team leaders enthusiastically celebrated Ji-seop’s trip to the United States, but…

“It’s a celebration, a celebration!”

“Of course, it’s a celebration. It’s something we should really congratulate him on, but…”

“Right, considering what Special Advisor Kim has been doing, we should purely congratulate him, but…”

Before long, a dark shadow began to loom over the faces of the Cannons team leaders.

Thinking about the Cannons front office without Ji-seop, they seemed to be subtly worried already.

“From next year, we’ll have to have longer meetings with the players. After all, there’s no one who explains things as easily as Special Advisor Kim.”

“The power analysis team is better off, isn’t it? There won’t be any players refusing to meet. The real worry is our marketing team. The players run away at the sight of us…”

“Our PR team isn’t any better. If Special Advisor Kim went and said a word, the interviewee’s schedule was immediately set… Sigh, the good times are over!”

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Director Seo Chang-gi clicked his tongue lightly as he watched the team leaders lament.

“Can’t you all act a little more mature?”

It was the director’s nagging.

“No matter how worried you are about next season, how can you say such things in front of Special Advisor Kim? It makes the person leaving uncomfortable.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

The power analysis team leader scratched the back of his head.

“It seems like no matter who comes, they won’t be able to completely replace Special Advisor Kim’s role.”

“Other than that, the bridge he forms between the field staff and our front office… That’s not something anyone can do, is it?”

“Didn’t the director say so too? The person who contributed the most to this Korean Series victory is Ryu Jang-ho among the players, and Kim Ji-seop in the front office! The director himself said that…”

Even with Director Seo’s nagging, the team leaders didn’t stop grumbling.

It was at this moment that Ji-seop chuckled inwardly and opened his mouth.

“I will do my best to ensure a complete handover during the remaining period,” Ji-seop said.

“I’ll make sure my absence isn’t felt until at least the end of next season… Team leaders, don’t worry too much.”

The Cannons team leaders’ reaction to the special advisor’s clear-cut words was as follows:

“This… why do I feel so strange?”

The power analysis team leader said with a playful expression.

“Just a moment ago, everything looked bleak, but after hearing Special Advisor Kim’s words again, I feel like we can somehow manage?”

“Hey, this guy, you’re completely addicted? A terminal patient with Kim Special Advisor dependency?”

“Hahaha, that’s right! Without me knowing, the disease has progressed very seriously!”

Hahahahaha.

As laughter erupted once again among the Cannons team leaders.

Seo Chang-gi, who checked his wristwatch, looked around at everyone and said.

“If there’s nothing more to discuss, let’s wrap up today’s meeting here.”

“Director, how about this? To celebrate Special Advisor Kim’s trip to the United States, I’ll treat everyone to a hearty meal today…”

The power analysis team leader winked slightly at Ji-seop, but Director Seo shook his head.

“Sorry, but let’s have dinner another time. I have a separate meeting scheduled with Special Advisor Kim today.”

“A meeting? No, it hasn’t even been that long since the Korean Series ended, and you already have a meeting scheduled?”

“It’s a meeting that can be officially held now that the Korean Series is over.”

It’s about Ryu Jang-ho’s posting [transfer to a foreign league].

Director Seo continued, putting on his coat.

“I’m meeting with that guy’s agent today.”

* * *

Ryu Jang-ho’s advancement to the Major League.

Now that they have won the Korean Series, it was the hottest topic of interest for Cannons fans.

For Ji-seop, it was also the last task he was in charge of before leaving the Cannons.

This was the first time KH Cannons was sending a player to the United States, so Ji-seop was very invested in the meeting, but-

“Ah, you don’t need to worry too much.”

Ryu Jang-ho’s agent, whom he met in the director’s office that day, had a rather confident expression.

“The atmosphere in the United States is very good. Even if we don’t promote it separately, there’s already a lot of buzz about Ryu Jang-ho.”

Recently, Major League teams have also been frequently holding events such as ‘Conversations with Fans,’ and in some of these, fans directly asked the team’s front office about the possibility of signing Ryu Jang-ho.

Also, a few days ago, the largest gambling site in the United States officially started taking bets on Ryu Jang-ho’s destination.

If there is this much interest even before the official posting process has begun, it means that a very positive result can be expected.

“In that respect, I would like to express my deep gratitude to KH Cannons.”

Ryu Jang-ho’s agent bowed slightly.

“Thanks to the Cannons’ thorough management of Ryu Jang-ho, we have been able to gain a favorable position in the negotiations.”

“Haha, we should be the ones giving thanks. Thanks to the experienced agency company taking the lead, we have been able to reduce a lot of effort.”

The general explanation of the situation was over, and the process of lightly praising each other was over.

Now is the time to address the main point of the meeting.

Seo Chang-gi, the team manager, adjusted his reading glasses and began, “Regarding Ryu Jang-ho’s contract size… what specific range are we looking at?” He added, “From KH Cannons’ perspective, that’s what we’re most curious about.”

Ryu Jang-ho was aiming to enter Major League Baseball through the posting system [a system where a player’s current team allows them to be bid on by MLB teams before their contract expires]. Unlike becoming a complete free agent, using the posting system means a transfer fee is paid to his original team based on the contract amount.

Since they were letting Ryu Jang-ho go, this transfer fee was almost the only way for the Cannons to maintain their team’s strength. Ascertaining the scale of that fee in advance was Seo Chang-gi’s crucial task.

“Hmm, well…” Ryu Jang-ho’s agent turned serious as money was brought up. “According to Major League officials, Ryu Jang-ho’s contract is projected to start around $80 million over five years.”

“Ah, $80 million?” Manager Seo’s fingers twitched, a habit he had when mentally calculating figures. “Then the transfer fee our Cannons would receive would be about $14 million.”

$14 million is equivalent to about 19 billion won [approximately $14.2 million USD] in our currency. It wasn’t a jackpot, but it was enough to land a significant player in the free agent market.

“You said it starts around $80 million… So, depending on negotiations, we could aim higher?”

“Of course. Isn’t that why agencies like ours exist? However…”

“However?” The agent, previously confident, hesitated for the first time. “The contract terms I mentioned assume the Boston Red Sox will join the Ryu Jang-ho acquisition race.”

“Boston Red Sox,” Manager Seo leaned back on the sofa. “A peculiar name at a peculiar time?”

“Haha, you could say that, but…” The agent continued, “Most teams currently interested in Ryu Jang-ho are mid-market teams.”

Not a big-market team with unlimited funds, nor a small-market team constantly cutting costs, just mid-sized teams.

“To get these teams to spend, we need more intense competition. We need to stir things up.”

“And the team that can do that is the Boston Red Sox… is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes, exactly.” The agent slicked back his hair. “The problem is our intelligence can’t grasp the Red Sox’s situation. They seem preoccupied with the World Series right now…”

“Hmm, I see.” Manager Seo nodded. The agent leaned forward, saying, “I heard the Cannons have a business agreement with the Red Sox. Is there any way to find out their position on Ryu Jang-ho’s posting? If we can get that information, I think we can negotiate more effectively.”

* * *

The agent’s words were true. The Boston Red Sox had a business agreement with KH Cannons from last offseason. Like the Cannons advancing to the Korean Series, they also reached the World Series after fierce competition.

However, the Cannons swept the series in four games, while the Red Sox were going back and forth and facing Game 7.

‘The Red Sox were very interested in Ryu Jang-ho when I last met them…’ Ji-seop struggled to gauge how their position had changed. They might still be interested, or their focus might have shifted. Their decision could also depend on the World Series outcome.

‘Contact Tommy Damon… It would be difficult.’ After a moment of contemplation [고민, gomin, means contemplation or worry in Korean], Ji-seop tossed his phone on the desk.

Despite their close relationship from their independent league days, the World Series was in full swing. Tommy Damon must be stressed, so contacting him about the team’s situation felt inappropriate.

‘Well, the World Series ends tomorrow morning… I can casually ask while congratulating him.’ Thinking that, Ji-seop reopened his laptop.

He reviewed his work log from the past two years and started writing. ‘Let’s see, in Soo-bin’s case…’ This was a ‘gift’ Ji-seop was preparing for the Cannons players.

Based on his notes, he decided to write advice for each player: training methods, relationships with colleagues, or their careers. Recalling each person was cumbersome, but he felt it necessary to repay the ‘gift’ the players were preparing.

‘By the way… how is the gift going?’ He smiled, recalling the players’ group chat from last night.

Brrr-

A message arrived on his phone. Ji-seop checked it, a slight question on his face. ‘Why is he contacting me… now?’

It was Tommy Damon. Speak of the devil.