On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 249

It seemed unlikely that the coaches, knowing the team was on the verge of disbandment, would have maintained a systematic and planned training regimen.

Fortunately, the second-string coach, Gu Chang-hyun, was a true ‘Gote man’ [someone deeply loyal to the Gote team] from his initial involvement until his retirement, dedicating his entire career to the team.

Thanks to his leadership of the second string, and his efforts to reassure the disheartened coaches, the situation didn’t completely fall apart.

Although Gote emerged victorious this year, it wasn’t a victory built on a solid foundation.

The emergence of talents like Seol Jin-il and Song Seok-hyun, promoted from the second string, showcased explosive potential, and Kim Jeong-ryul, once considered past his prime, staged a remarkable comeback, achieving an ERA [Earned Run Average, a key pitching statistic] in the 1-point range.

Kim In-hwan, nicknamed ‘Kim Bong-sa’ [likely a reference to a reliable or hard-working figure], became a significant threat in the Korean Series [KS, the championship series], and even Yoo Seon-ho and Lee Ji-sung, acquired through trades, rediscovered their peak performance.

It’s fair to say that the stars aligned for Gote this year.

Even rookie manager Ham Seong-hoon transformed from an obscure interim manager into a strategic mastermind, becoming the league’s top-ranked manager.

He successfully executed trades for Yoo Seon-ho and Lee Ji-sung, and stabilized the pitching staff by effectively rotating the 5th and 6th starters.

Furthermore, despite being initially labeled ‘Dol Seong-hoon’ [possibly meaning ‘Stone’ or ‘Stubborn Seong-hoon’], he resolutely implemented his bullpen management strategy, and this season, the pitchers’ frequent trips to the hospital, once an annual occurrence, vanished completely.

Even rival teams perceived Gote’s success as a blend of luck and skill.

This perception fueled other teams’ hopes for the following year, with newly revamped teams like the Busan Astro Boys, Wales, Scorpion, and Bulls investing in new managers and coaches, and prioritizing the retention of their internal free agents.

Only Pegasus, by releasing this year’s biggest FA [Free Agent], Kim Wook, raised questions about their commitment to the next season, but a closer look reveals their underlying strength.

Pegasus boasts the most robust depth in the league, from their second string to their first.

Despite the disappointment of being eliminated in the Korean Series after topping the league for two consecutive years, it wouldn’t be surprising if Pegasus reclaimed the top spot next year.

In this context, successfully signing the biggest FA and two promising players is a positive outcome, but it comes at a cost.

It will take Gote at least 2-3 years to achieve the same level of depth as Pegasus, spanning from the second string to the first.

Gote is a winning team, but it’s also a team in need of rebuilding.

Rebuilding requires a substantial number of players who can serve as pillars, remaining steadfast even amidst challenges, but currently, there are just enough to meet the immediate need.

It feels like embarking on a long journey without a spare tire.

“Even with all the successful signings, I still feel uneasy,” Kim Hak-in muttered, scratching his chin.

* * *

“Okay, let’s take a picture. One, two, three.”

After capturing the photo of Kim Wook shaking hands with the president and general manager, he had a private meeting with Ham Seong-hoon.

Ham Seong-hoon offered Kim Wook a cup of coffee.

Kim Wook declined, opting for water instead.

“Things are progressing smoothly.”

Kim Wook dismissed Ham Seong-hoon’s comment with a wave of his hand.

“Please, speak freely.”

“Ah, there it is again. You’re making me uncomfortable. Anyway, congratulations. Welcome to our team.”

Ham Seong-hoon extended his hand, and Kim Wook reciprocated the handshake.

“I’m honored. I’ve joined a winning team.”

“It’s a cliché, but it’s still nice to hear. Still, can Pegasus really compare to us? It must have been a difficult decision, so thank you.”

“I look forward to working with you. I hope we win next year as well.”

“Of course. We have to win next year too.”

Ham Seong-hoon took a few sips of coffee, observing Kim Wook’s expression.

“So, now we’re one team, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then… there’s something I’m curious about.”

Kim Wook shrugged.

“You’re wondering why I chose to come to Gote?”

“You know without me having to ask.”

“Is that important now that I’ve already signed?”

“You know I’m not asking out of personal curiosity.”

Kim Wook tucked his chin and sighed.

Ham Seong-hoon set down his coffee cup, refraining from pressing him, and waited for Kim Wook’s response.

“What you’re really curious about is the situation at Pegasus, right?”

“If I denied it, it would be disingenuous, wouldn’t it?”

“Phew. It feels a bit like being a spy, which isn’t great.”

“I’m not asking you to divulge secrets. I’m just curious. I’m open to some gossip too.”

“Hmm.”

Kim Wook tapped his thigh a few times with his finger.

Ham Seong-hoon mirrored the gesture, tapping the sofa with his finger.

“Yes, well. It’s not a secret, so I don’t mind sharing.”

“Really? I appreciate your candor.”

“As you might have guessed, the atmosphere at Pegasus has changed dramatically.”

“In what way?”

“They’re cutting back on spending. With Jin-hee’s departure, and failing to win the Korean Series despite leading the league twice, they probably believe their chances of winning are slim, and the return on investment isn’t justified.”

“They couldn’t win even with Jo Jin-hee, so it will be even harder without him?”

“Yes. That’s reflected in their FA offer to me…”

“Skip the amount if you’re not comfortable sharing. I’m not trying to pry into those details.”

“No. If I’m going to talk about it, I should be transparent. We’re on the same team now.”

Kim Wook held up six fingers.

Ham Seong-hoon chuckled dryly.

“Even so, that’s a low offer. Was that really all they proposed?”

“That includes a down payment of 5 and an option of 15.”

“That’s below market value, even by the standards of 2-3 years ago.”

“Exactly. I would have jumped at that offer a few years back.”

“If you analyze it objectively, it’s not an entirely unreasonable amount…”

“The amount is one thing, but their attitude was unacceptable. They were firm, stating that their offer was the best and there would be no concessions. A contract is supposed to be a negotiation, isn’t it? If the club is facing financial difficulties, they should at least try to persuade me, not just play hardball. How can I feel good about that?”

“The team atmosphere is… somewhat like that.”

“A new general manager has taken over. They claim they’re implementing a front office-led, efficient baseball strategy, but ‘efficient’ is just a buzzword. I’ve been around long enough to see through it. They’re aiming for lower salaries across the board. Austerity, that’s what it is.”

“Hmm hmm. Yes, austerity.”

“Ah, yes. Austerity.”

A difference of 2 billion won is a significant factor, even with a retired number at stake.

When the financial gap is substantial, existing coaches, players, and front office staff usually step in to appeal to the player’s loyalty and personal connections.

However, Pegasus’s general manager had just been replaced, and the existing coaches were all dismissed.

The players’ morale was shattered by repeated failures in the Korean Series.

There was no one left to comfort and persuade Kim Wook.

At this point, the front office presented Kim Wook with the final offer, without any explanation or room for negotiation…

Looking at the sequence of events, the conclusion is clear.

Pegasus never intended to re-sign Kim Wook.

From a purely financial perspective, baseball is a loss-making industry.

In a cold, hard business analysis, current FAs are overvalued.

The problem is that the bubble hasn’t burst, so it’s become the accepted norm.

Someone unfamiliar with the baseball scene, an outsider, would naturally view it as a high-cost, low-efficiency industry.

While there’s a growing trend to eliminate options in contracts, the inclusion of 1.5 billion won in options indicates a purely business-driven approach.

“But, you know,” Ham Seong-hoon lowered his voice and asked.

“Why didn’t you contact other teams? There must have been significant interest in you.”

“Gote is the only top-tier team with an open third baseman position.”

“You could have played first base or DH [Designated Hitter].”

“I’ve played third base my entire career, and I intend to retire as a third baseman.”

“You’re very attached to third base.”

“Yes. Ah, that doesn’t mean I’ll refuse to play if it’s not third base. I’m not that inflexible. Third base is my preferred position, but I’m willing to play first base or DH if the team needs me to.”

Ham Seong-hoon smiled and extended his hand.

“Okay. Let’s work well together in the future.”

“Yes. I look forward to it.”

Ace Closer

Stove League (3)

Before leaving the manager’s office, Kim Wook said to Ham Seong-hoon.

“Money is a factor, but there’s another reason why I really wanted to join Gote.”

“Hmm?”

“I wanted to play alongside Seok-hyun. It’s exciting, big ball. The lineup is strong too. I’ve already come up with a name: KKYS. Doesn’t it sound cool?”

“So Seok-hyun has to bat sixth?”

“Hey, KKYS is just a name. If I push Seok-hyun out and take the fourth spot, whoever bats fourth will feel pressured.”

Kim Wook laughed heartily and left the manager’s office.

Ham Seong-hoon watched Kim Wook leave and returned to the sofa.

“He’s definitely a pleasant person, which is a good sign.”

Baseball is a team sport with a significant emphasis on individual talent, but teamwork is crucial.

We’ve seen it time and again.

How Gote’s steady acquisition of FAs has negatively impacted the team atmosphere.

Trading away the three FAs, Lee Nak-gyun, Choi Dae-gyu, and Kang Mun-gyu, was a painful decision, but it immediately boosted team morale.

“KKYS… Hmm. Still cheesy.”

It doesn’t roll off the tongue like KS [Korean Series].

Ham Seong-hoon stayed at work late into the evening.

He was waiting for guests from Gwangju, Kim Jeong-deok and Jeong Geun-gi.

The two men, visibly nervous, were escorted to the manager’s office by a front office employee long after dinner.

“Ah, welcome. Welcome to Gote.”

Ham Seong-hoon extended his hand, and the two men bowed deeply.

“Please take care of us!”

“Please take care of us!”

“Oh my, you’re going to make my ears ring. Please, sit down.”

“Thank you!”

Ham Seong-hoon sat facing the two men.

Neither Kim Jeong-deok nor Jeong Geun-gi were tall, but both had broad shoulders.

Kim Jeong-deok was a promising, ready-to-play player who started as center fielder for the Bulls in his second year after being drafted straight out of high school, and Jeong Geun-gi was a highly touted prospect drafted by the Bulls in the second round last year.

He was drafted in the second round because the Bulls were in the bottom tier, but he could have easily been a first-round pick.

He had no apparent weaknesses in offense, defense, or running, earning him the reputation of a complete player.

However, this year, the Bulls drafted the super-sized shortstop Heo Gi-young, making Jeong Geun-gi’s position uncertain.

The Bulls had persuaded him to forgo a direct path to the major leagues, so it was clear who would receive more opportunities in the future.

While primarily a shortstop, he was also capable of playing third and second base, and Ham Seong-hoon capitalized on this ambiguity.

Even a brand-new cell phone depreciates significantly when an upgraded model is released the following year.

The original value remains unchanged, but the emergence of a comparison point naturally diminishes its perceived worth.

While the Bulls were evaluating Jeong Geun-gi’s utility, Ham Seong-hoon presented a compelling offer.

Kang Seok-hyun and Kang Hwan-yoon.

Both were essential bullpen pitchers for Gote until earlier this year.

Both are currently undergoing rehabilitation, but Kang Hwan-yoon is a twenty-four-year-old left-handed pitcher with a blazing fastball who is expected to return next year, and Kang Seok-hyun is a twenty-nine-year-old player who will return the year after next, also a left-handed pitcher with a powerful fastball.

In addition, he addressed the Bulls’ specific need by including center fielder Jeong Byeong-seon, recognized as an A-class outfielder.

The Bulls have four internal FAs this year alone.

They are aiming for the championship next year, having already finalized FA contracts with all four players.

Until the middle of the season, challenging for the championship next year seemed unlikely, but the situation has changed now that the season is over.

Gote won the championship, but their position is precarious, and Pegasus has suffered a setback with two consecutive failures in the Korean Series.

It’s truly a period of intense competition.

Any team can reach a point where they can contend for the championship.

The Bulls’ sudden recruitment of numerous coaches from Japanese professional baseball is noteworthy.

The Bulls have maintained ties with Japanese baseball teams through sisterhood agreements for a long time, but they have never hired a coach from Japanese professional baseball before.

A sudden influx of Japanese professional baseball coaches, coupled with a swift resolution of internal FA negotiations, suggests a significant investment aimed at winning the championship.

The problem is that strengthening the pitching mound was crucial to their championship aspirations.

To acquire Park Shin-eon, they traded away two essential bullpen pitchers, Go Jin-seok and Kim Jin-seok, further depleting their already weak pitching staff.

It may be a short-sighted move, but Gote desperately needed bullpen pitchers.

It was a bold trade, made possible by Ham Seong-hoon’s intimate knowledge of the Bulls’ situation.

The Bulls’ willingness to accept Kang Seok-hyun, despite his return being two years away, highlights their desperation.

From a conservative perspective, Kang Seok-hyun’s return is distant, but utilizing Japanese rehabilitation techniques, known for their effectiveness, could potentially accelerate his recovery.

If they can expedite his return by just six months, Kang Seok-hyun could return in the summer, when the bullpen is most strained.

Regardless of the internal dynamics, the Bulls are undoubtedly more confident than ever.

If the Bulls had opted for a rebuild, they would never have parted with key prospects like Kim Jeong-deok or Jeong Geun-gi.

Instead, because they declared a championship challenge this year, they were able to acquire Jeong Geun-gi, who had become somewhat redundant, as an added bonus.

Jeong Geun-gi is perfectly suited to serve as a backup for shortstop and second base next year, and then fulfill his mandatory military service starting the following year.

There is no better resource than Jeong Geun-gi to utilize as part of a rebuild.

“How are you guys settling in with housing?”

“Ah? Yes?”

Kim Jeong-deok clasped his hands tightly.

“We decided to book a motel as a temporary solution… I mean, we did.”

“Motel?”

“My mom and dad said they’d come up tomorrow and help me look at houses, I mean, they said they would.”

“Hmm. What about you, Geun-gi?”

“I decided to stay with him tonight too.”

“What about a house?”

“The house is a bit… it’s a bit.”

Ham Seong-hoon smiled.

He immediately understood Jeong Geun-gi’s concern.

“Would it be helpful to get a studio apartment in Seoul for now? Or ask the club. The club has secured lodging nearby. It’s like a dormitory, so it’s not used much, but as a player on our team, you can use it for free.”

Jeong Geun-gi smiled brightly.

“Is it really okay to get a house here?”

“For now. I can’t guarantee anything. You understand, right?”

“Ah… yes, well. I understand.”

Jeong Geun-gi was worried about whether he would make the first team or not.

He couldn’t bring himself to ask if there was no need to find a house if he didn’t make the first team.