Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 183

#182. The Acquisition Storm

What is a desperate wish for one person can often be meaningless to another.

You don’t have to go far to see that. I was like that myself.

Straight into the Big Leagues after high school graduation, a Major Leaguer in my 20s, Cy Young Award, League MVP, World Series Champion, tens of millions of dollars in salary, a big house, a fancy car.

Even with those brilliant achievements that every baseball player in the world dreams of, I didn’t feel a single bit of joy.

Some people who pride themselves on knowing a thing or two like to say this.

That following a path that everyone can understand and taking the road that many people choose is a shortcut to living happily.

Bullshit.

Life isn’t that simple.

If I had to pick just one absolute rule for being happy in life, it would be to trust your own choices, not someone else’s.

I should have done this back then, oh, I should have tried this before, why did I give that up?

I think that person’s life is a success if they have lived a life without such regrets.

Like Lim Jun-yeong, who turned down an offer from an American club that promised a salary of over $5 million, though slightly less than Ryu Han-gyeol, and chose the Seoul Warriors uniform.

[Breaking News, FA biggest name Lim Jun-yeong, agrees to a 4-year, 15 billion won contract with the Seoul Warriors]

[2027 Season Champion Warriors, accelerating dynasty construction with the acquisition of Lim Jun-yeong]

[Big League clubs that were confident in signing Lim Jun-yeong puzzled, “Why on earth?”]

[The Magicians, who bet everything on signing the ace, “We were sure he would be our player…”]

[Lim Jun-yeong, who chose his hometown team over money and fame, “I am incredibly happy. I had a lot of 고민 [agonizing thoughts] before making the choice, but after putting on the Warriors uniform, I am sure that this was my path.”]

[Contract period 4 years, contract deposit 5 billion, total salary 10 billion, Seoul Warriors invests a huge amount of money, in response to questions about the source of funds, “I met a good investor, and they told me not to worry about money and just spend it.”]

[Han Su-hyeok, Lim Jun-yeong, Cheon Sang-jin, Seoul Warriors to build the strongest domestic starting lineup in 10 clubs, strong championship favorite in 2028]

* * *

“Lim Jun-yeong, one last question. Why the Warriors?”

Lim Jun-yeong calmly accepted the resentful gaze of the Incheon Rangers reporter.

What they had been 설마설마ing [doubting and hoping it wasn’t true] had become a reality.

Incheon, his original team, had of course done everything they could to keep Lim Jun-yeong.

They were 깜짝 놀라 [completely surprised] when they heard that the Warriors had offered 15 billion won, but they increased the contract period and added options, bringing the conditions up to almost the same level.

It wasn’t just Incheon.

The Magicians, who had declared an all-out war at the group level to win next season, were in a situation where they couldn’t do anything to sign Lim Jun-yeong.

“We will add 10% to the Warriors’ offer. Please become the ace of the Magicians.”

But Lim Jun-yeong’s choice was the Warriors.

The reporters’ eyes were focused on him.

“I think I’ve always felt a sense of 결핍 [deficiency] while playing baseball. That was the case when I transferred from the Warriors to the Rangers, and I’m ashamed to say that I felt that way even when I saw my junior, Ryu Han-gyeol… Yes, people praised me as great, but in fact, there was always that lack in my heart.”

The reporters, who had expected a better offer or a challenge for a new goal, looked at Lim Jun-yeong with puzzled expressions.

“Challenge the best stage in the world, this opportunity will not come again… Many people advised me that way. Except for one person. That person told me to always choose what I wanted to do over what I had to do. So I chose to go to the Warriors. And I realized that that person was right.”

“Are you saying that returning to the Warriors was the thing you wanted to do most? But Lim Jun-yeong, may I ask who that one person you just mentioned is? Family? Mentor? Colleague? Or friend?”

“Su-hyeok.”

“Yes?”

“Su-hyeok told me. He said he knew from experience, so 무조건 [unconditionally] choose what you want to do.”

* * *

One of the greatest privileges of living as a member of a chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] family is that you don’t have to have what you want taken away by someone else.

The owner of the Magicians, whose stomach was 부글부글 끓어오른 [boiling with anger] as they repeatedly slipped just before reaching the top, ordered Lim Jun-yeong to be brought in no matter what.

He had no doubt that Lim Jun-yeong would be his.

“What? Taken away by whom? The Warriors? What money do they have?”

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

But he failed.

There are some things in this world that money can’t solve.

Lim Jun-yeong’s case was exactly that.

“So? Are you just going to stand there and watch? Bring me an alternative, not just an apology, an alternative!”

The president of the Magicians, whose life was in danger due to the owner’s anger.

He went directly to someone. This was the only way he could survive at the moment.

“Choi Gyeong-jae, I heard that 수원 [Suwon team] called 12 billion. I won’t say much. I’ll match 14 billion.”

“Yes?”

Choi Gyeong-jae, who was about to sign a 5-year, 12 billion won contract with his original team, 수원 [Suwon], became a Magicians player.

Choi Gyeong-jae, who wanted to join the Warriors because he didn’t want to face Han Su-hyeok, ended up becoming a player for the team that was his biggest rival.

– Su-hyeok, now that we’re using the same Jamsil Baseball Stadium as our home, aren’t we practically 식구 [family]? Are you going to take it easy on me from now on? I’ll buy you something delicious every day. Su-hyeok, Su-hyeok?

“…….”

The Magicians’ 행보 [moves] didn’t stop there.

Putting aside the anger of missing out on Lim Jun-yeong, they began to 풀어 the 돈 보따리 [unleash the money bags] with the goal of 무조건 [unconditionally] winning the championship next season.

[Fighters’ Lee Chan-ho, who was likely to apply for a Major League posting, postpones overseas advancement by one year and is traded to the Magicians in a 깜짝 [surprise] trade]

[Fighters, in financial difficulties, send Lee Chan-ho away for 3 top-nominated rookies and 1.5 billion won in cash]

[Fighters official “We are confident that 육성ing [developing] 3 rookies rather than Lee Chan-ho, who has 1 year left of service time, will help the team’s future.”]

[Magicians General Manager Yoon Jae-seok “I am incredibly happy to have acquired Lee Chan-ho, the best hitter in Korea. The Magicians’ goal this season is only one, to win the championship.”]

[Lee Chan-ho, who will wear the Magicians uniform, “I’m sad, but I’ve decided to postpone my advancement to the United States by one year. I will do my best to win the team championship,” he said.]

Amazing news was being updated every day.

Not only did they acquire Choi Gyeong-jae, who was still one of the best left-handed starters in Korea, even though he was 호구를 잡히 [outmatched] by Han Su-hyeok, and Lee Chan-ho, who was called the best hitter before Han Su-hyeok appeared, but rumors began to circulate that all three foreign players would be replaced with Big League-class players.

That wasn’t the end of it.

They were also 추진ing [pursuing] trades to release the rookies they had been 모아 두었던 [collecting] and collect 쓸 만한 즉전감 [immediately useful] backups from each team.

It is a 구단 운영 [team operation] with 말 그대로 [literally] no turning back. They are determined to win the championship at all costs, even if it means overdoing it.

“The Magicians are really 지르네 시원하게 [splurging coolly].”

“Hey, Su-hyeok. Now is not the time to talk about others. I’m doing it because you told me to, but is it really okay to do this?”

“It’s okay. 질러, 팍팍 질러버려 [Splurge, splurge away]. It’s a shame that there are only two external FA acquisition limits. I wish I could buy some more.”

Meanwhile, the Warriors fans’ 마음 [hearts] were 평온 그 자체 [peaceful itself], even though new acquisition news was being delivered every day from their rival, the Magicians.

This was because the team, which had only been 빼앗기기만 선수 [only losing players] every year, was 풀고 돈 보따리 [unleashing the money bags] and bringing Lim Jun-yeong back for some reason.

In a sense, it was nothing more than 되찾아온 선수 [reclaiming a player] that had been 빼앗겼던 [taken away] rather than an external acquisition, but the Warriors fans, who were used to a 가난한 삶 워낙 [poor life], were happy enough with just that.

However, there was one thing that bothered them.

The news of the 재계약 [re-signing] with the captain, who had 지탱해온 [supported] this team for a long time, was not being heard.

But such concerns of the fans disappeared 감쪽같이 [completely] with the news announced the next day.

[Seoul Warriors, sign captain Jo Seong-oh to a 4+1 year, 6 billion won contract]

[Jo Seong-oh, who is having his second heyday this season, “I am 진심으로 [sincerely] satisfied with the better-than-expected treatment. I am 말할 수 없이 기쁘다 [indescribably happy] to be able to remain a Warriors 원클럽맨 [one-club man].”]

[Warriors CEO Park Seong-hoon “Jo Seong-oh is our team’s eternal captain. I hope that he will retire from this team, go through coaching, and become a manager.”]

└크으… 이거지 [Kheu… this is it], Lim Jun-yeong’s acquisition was good, but I really like this

└They treated him better than I thought. The team that used to 갖다 버리던 베테랑들 [discard veterans] when they got old

└That’s 오강 그룹’s [Ohgang Group’s] story. 아이코닉 [Iconic] is doing a really good job

└음 [Eum], then we’ll 철수하겠네 [withdraw] from the FA market now. It seems like it’s 마무리된 대충 [roughly finished]?

└ㅇㅇ [Yes] Internal 단속도 [control] was also successful, Lim Jun-yeong was also 복귀시켰고 [brought back], 대만족 [very satisfied]

With the news of Lim Jun-yeong’s return and captain Jo Seong-oh’s 재계약 [re-signing], the Warriors fans 접었다 [folded] their interest in the FA market with a 만족스러운 마음 [satisfied heart].

But,

The Warriors didn’t 멈추지 [stop] there.

[Warriors, who 깜짝 놀라게 [surprised] the market with the acquisition of Lim Jun-yeong, this time acquire infielder Min Joo-hyeon as a FA]

[Min Joo-hyeon, who was the starting third baseman for the Incheon Rangers, joins the Warriors with a 4-year contract, a contract deposit of 2.5 billion won, and a total salary of 5.5 billion won, for a total of 8 billion won]

[In response to a question asking why Min Joo-hyeon was acquired, General Manager Park Jae-cheol said, “I judged that he was a 베테랑 [veteran] who would 잡아줄 [hold] the center of the infield.”]

[베테랑 [Veteran] infielder Min Joo-hyeon, who will wear the Warriors uniform, “I started thinking about transferring to the Warriors when I met Han Su-hyeok on the national team.”]

[Following Lim Jun-yeong, Min Joo-hyeon also says in unison, ‘The reason for transferring to the Warriors is Han Su-hyeok’]

[The Warriors infield, which includes existing Jo Seong-oh, Lee Chang-mo, Han Su-hyeok, Ahn Chi-wook, and Min Joo-hyeon, is the strongest in terms of stability among the 10 clubs]

└What is this;;; Isn’t today April Fool’s Day?

└No, I thought someone would be 팔려 나갈 [sold off] after acquiring Lim Jun-yeong, but instead they brought in one more?

└We’ve 채웠다고 [filled] all two of our external FA acquisition limits? Is the owner crazy?

└That’s also Min Joo-hyeon? National team third baseman?

└Wait, what about Ahn Chi-wook if this happens? The positions overlap

└Is that the problem now? If it’s Min Joo-hyeon, you have to 데려와야지 [bring him] even if you have to create a 자리 없는 [non-existent spot]

└Min Joo-hyeon can play 1st base as well as 3rd base. One person can go as a designated hitter

└Anyway… 하아 [Haa];;; I really feel like I’m dreaming. Did the Warriors owner win the lottery?

└ㅋㅋㅋ [Hehe] How much is the lottery 당청금 [winning amount]? It’s not even enough for one player’s contract deposit

As someone 예리한 [sharp] pointed out, the owner did win the lottery.

It wasn’t just a simple lottery, but a real 핵폭탄급 [nuclear bomb-level] lottery that would allow them to never have to worry about money for the rest of their lives.

“Su-hyeok, by the way, are you going to 털고 다 지분 [sell all your shares] and come out of that?”

“No, Min Tae-hyeon said that if I just hold on to it, the 배당금 [dividends] alone will be more than our club’s annual operating expenses starting next year.”

“Wow… that’s amazing. Are you 혹시 [perhaps] a 투자의 귀재 [investment genius]?”

“Hehe, am I? But it’s strange. When I tried to 투자 또 다른 데 [invest in another place], Min Tae-hyeon 죽어라 말리더라고 [desperately stopped me], said that this one was really lucky.”

“It’s a shame, but I think so too. A baseball player should play baseball.”

“Hmm, I guess so?”

Han Su-hyeok, who was almost 찰 뻔 쪽박 [about to hit rock bottom] if it hadn’t been for the intervention of someone who was 반한 플레이 자신의 [enamored with his play], has now decided to completely 끊기로 신경을 [cut off his nerves] about investment and wealth.

Anyway, the 돈 [money] is 알아서 불어날 판국 [going to increase on its own] even if I just leave it alone.

That’s how all of November passed, and the 굵직굵직한 [major] FAs began to 찾아가기 제각각 자리를 [find their respective places].

To summarize the overall transfer market in one word……

First of all, the Incheon Rangers, who lost both the 투타’s [pitching and hitting] core, Lim Jun-yeong and Min Joo-hyeon, were like a 초상집 [funeral home].

The angry owner is rumored to be 벌이려 일을 또 뭔가 [planning something again], and the FAs who were trying to 영입 [recruit] from the outside are also 흔드는 절레절레 고개를 [shaking their heads] when they hear Incheon.

수원’s [Suwon’s] situation was not good either.

They lost ace Choi Gyeong-jae, leaving a big 구멍 [hole] in the starting mound. In addition, the Magicians were 욕심내는 안태규 유격수 even [even coveting shortstop Ahn Tae-gyu], so they had to 눌러 앉혀야 him [keep him] by giving him more money than expected.

대전’s [Daejeon’s] situation is 뭐 굳이 말할 것도 없다 [there’s no need to say anything]. It was a 일반적인 평 [general opinion] that 대전 [Daejeon], where the 소년가장 떠난 [boy breadwinner left], only had 내려갈 일 남았다는 [only going down left] now.

창원 [Changwon], 광주 [Gwangju], and 대구 [Daegu], where there were no big player movements, are still 하위권 후보 [lower-ranked candidates], and the Fighters, who 넘겨주고 이찬호를 [handed over Lee Chan-ho] and 얻은 신인 유망한 3명 [obtained 3 promising rookies], are rumored to be 본격적인 리빌딩에 들어간다는 [entering full-scale rebuilding].

On the other hand, the Magicians, who not only 얻은 최경재 and 이찬호 [obtained Choi Gyeong-jae and Lee Chan-ho], but also 영입한 용병 3명을 한꺼번에 [recruited 3 foreign players at once], who could be called 빅리거 [big leaguers], suddenly 부상했다 우승후보 1순위로 [emerged as the top championship candidate].

Perhaps the team that the Warriors should 경계해야 가장 [be most wary of] is now the Magicians, not Incheon.

음 [Eum],

But something, something seems to be 빠진 [missing]…….

Ah, the Titans.

거기야 뭐 늘 똑같지 [It’s always the same there].

지난 시즌 2할에 그친 주전 유격수에게 [They gave a starting shortstop who only hit .200 last season] 100억짜리 FA계약을 안겨준 거 같은데 [a 10 billion won FA contract]…….

그 선수의 프로필을 보니 경서고 출신이었다 [Looking at that player’s profile, he was from Gyeongseo High School].

그래 [Yeah], 사람이 갑자기 변하면 죽는다고 했다 [it’s said that if a person changes suddenly, they die].

하던 대로 하고 살아야지 [You have to live doing what you’ve always done].