Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 135

135. The Second Salary Negotiation (2)

Team Manager Jo Jae-won of the Angels cautiously opened his mouth.

“Considering the team’s internal balance, how about an increase of 50 million won, bringing it to around 300 million won?”

What?

No matter the team’s situation, the difference from what I had in mind was too significant.

“…….”

I remained silent for a moment without saying anything.

Then, I could sense a slight embarrassment on Jo Jae-won’s face.

“It seems your thoughts differ greatly from the CEO’s?”

“I’m not pleased that you don’t seem to recognize our player’s value enough.”

I didn’t bother trying to hide the expression coming from my heart.

Jo Jae-won quickly waved both hands and replied.

“Please don’t misunderstand. I fully recognize Jang Su-young’s value. He performed exceptionally well as a closer this season. And he will continue to do so next year.”

“Shouldn’t a player’s value be judged by their salary, not just words?”

“That’s true. But as I mentioned, we can’t ignore the team’s situation, so I hope you can concede a little this time.”

So, he’s going to stick to this until the end?

Then I can’t just be nice either.

“……How long do you think Jang Su-young will be an Angels player?”

“Yes?”

At my words, Jo Jae-won’s expression rapidly hardened.

“He’ll have to play for the Angels for the next two seasons. He has no other choice until he meets the FA [Free Agent] requirements.”

“……What do you mean by that?”

Jo Jae-won stuttered slightly, startled.

“In our professional baseball structure, a player with no other options in salary negotiations is bound to be the weaker party. But…….”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“There are ways to give the team a blow.”

“…….”

“A player like Jang Su-young will receive the best treatment in the FA market. He’s the best left-handed relief pitcher, and he’s young. And as you know, two years isn’t that long.”

“Hyun-woo, no, CEO Kang. Why are you saying such things?”

Jo Jae-won stammered.

“Isn’t he the player that the Angels brought in by sending Ji Young-wook to the Wolves? If such a player transfers after only three years, it wouldn’t be pleasant for the Angels either.”

“O-of course.”

I continued what I wanted to say, regardless of Jo Jae-won’s reaction.

“If such an incident causes emotional strain between the team and the company, it will be difficult for you to recruit our agency’s players. Contracts should exclude emotions and be approached from a business perspective, but I’m only human.”

I finished what I had to say and stood up.

“CEO Kang, just a moment.”

Jo Jae-won also stood up urgently.

“It seems pointless to talk any further, so let’s end today’s negotiation here. Contact me if you change your mind.”

Then, without looking back, I opened the door and left.

* * *

I immediately moved to meet the next team manager.

It was the Jaguars, where the only foreign player, Michael Scott, belonged.

“CEO Kang, welcome.”

Team Manager Jo Gwang-hoon of the Jaguars greeted me with a bright smile, even raising both hands.

The reason for welcoming me so warmly was clear.

Michael Scott recorded 6 wins and an ERA [Earned Run Average, a measure of pitching performance] of 3.25 in the second half alone, causing a sensation in professional baseball this season.

Above all, he pitched 73 innings in 10 games.

In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that he was responsible for almost one game each time he pitched.

His weakness of having a high batting average against left-handed hitters still remained, but it wasn’t a significant problem for performing at the top level in the domestic league.

Moreover, it also meant that there was still room for him to develop further, which was a terrifying prospect.

-I will now unconditionally trust Kang Hyun-woo’s words.

-We plan to focus on strengthening the batting lineup this winter.

I almost burst out laughing as soon as I saw his information window.

To trust my words unconditionally.

I didn’t realize Michael Scott’s impact would be this strong.

Of course, considering Scott’s performance, it would be difficult not to.

“You must have had a long journey.”

“The journey to the Jaguars is always light.”

I sat down, receiving Jo Gwang-hoon’s warm welcome.

Jo Gwang-hoon had prepared in advance and brought me a cup of coffee.

“Have a drink first.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed slightly and took a sip of the coffee.

“Are you going to re-sign with Michael Scott?”

“Of course.”

Jo Gwang-hoon answered without hesitating for a moment.

Then, suddenly looking at me with anxious eyes, he asked cautiously.

“By any chance…… did Scott say he wanted to go to the United States?”

“Fortunately, not yet. I don’t think you need to worry for the time being.”

I was even worried that he liked Korea so much that he would want to stay.

“That’s a relief.”

Jo Gwang-hoon took a deep breath as if trying to calm his surprised heart.

“Then, how much salary will you give Scott?”

“I’ve prepared very generously. He’ll probably be satisfied at once.”

Jo Gwang-hoon looked at me with a confident expression, completely different from before.

“How much?”

“One million dollars.”

Huh.

One million dollars?

It was more than I expected.

I was thinking around 800,000 to 900,000 dollars…….

Compared to the 300,000 dollars he received last season, including options, it was almost double the increase.

Unlike my surprised inner thoughts, I continued the conversation as if I had fully expected it.

“I’m glad that the Jaguars seem to recognize our player.”

After having such an unpleasant conversation with the Angels, this offer felt even more welcome.

“Of course. He’s CEO Kang’s player, so we have to recognize him.”

Jo Gwang-hoon laughed heartily, as if sensing that I was satisfied.

“That’s why I like Team Manager Jo. You’re so straightforward, I have nothing to worry about.”

“I hate wasting time with unnecessary probing. It’s either yes or no.”

Jo Gwang-hoon slammed the armrest of the chair, seemingly pleased with my words.

“By the way, does the team also think that the Jaguars’ performance this season wasn’t bad?”

Because Lee Sang-hoon, the starting center fielder, transferred as a FA, and there were no ace-level FA player acquisitions, the prevailing expectation was that they would fall to the bottom.

Nevertheless, finishing 6th was a very encouraging result.

Of course, we can’t leave out the role of Michael Scott, who emerged like a comet and recorded 6 wins in the second half alone.

“That’s right. We unfortunately didn’t make it to the postseason, but we fought for 5th place until the end. If we strengthen our team well this winter, it seems possible next year.”

“If we reinforce a few weaknesses, can’t we go to the top ranks next year?”

“It’s worth a try if we strengthen the batting lineup.”

Jo Gwang-hoon clenched his fist as if determined.

“But there aren’t any hitters in this year’s FA that are worth actively trying to recruit, are there?”

There were several players who could thicken the player base, but there were no players who could immediately improve the team’s strength.

“That’s why I’m worried. I can’t think of a definite reinforcement plan.”

As if he had been happy just moments ago, worry settled on Jo Gwang-hoon’s face.

“Then there’s only one way.”

“What is it?”

At my words, Jo Gwang-hoon moved closer to me.

“We need to pick a good foreign hitter.”

“Do you have a foreign hitter who could explode in Korea? I’ll get as much money as you need.”

It seemed like lasers would come out of Jo Gwang-hoon’s eyes.

“I was planning to look for a hitter this time anyway.”

“Okay. Then that hitter must sign with us.”

So proactive.

“He might not be a good fit for the Jaguars?”

“No, there’s absolutely no way.”

Jo Gwang-hoon shook his head firmly, as if convinced.

“Then I’ll have to look even harder.”

There was another card besides the foreign hitter, but it was still a little early to take it out.

I need to throw it at a more opportune time than now.

“By the way, how do you think the Ko Ji-hoon negotiation will go?”

Jo Gwang-hoon asked as if casually dropping a hint.

“Are you going to recruit a pitcher too?”

“A proven starting pitcher is always of interest.”

“Wouldn’t other teams think the same as you, Team Manager?”

I replied to Jo Gwang-hoon with a faint smile.

“I’d like to just go all-in on a pitcher, but I’m a little worried about Ko Ji-hoon’s durability.”

“It’s a little awkward for me to say this myself, but as long as he’s a player in our agency, he’ll definitely perform much better than last year.”

At my confident words, Jo Gwang-hoon seemed to fall into deep thought.

* * *

The Jaguars negotiation ended in one go, and it seemed like Jang Su-young of the Angels wouldn’t take too long either.

Now, I planned to proceed with negotiations with the team that was eliminated from the semi-playoffs between the Buffaloes and the Doubles.

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju of the Buffaloes had performed so well this season that I had nothing to worry about, but Choi Jeong-hwan of the Doubles kept bothering me.

I kept feeling guilty that I hadn’t been able to manage him meticulously because I was too busy when he joined the agency in its early stages.

I was just really grateful that he had done his part well again without any injuries.

I looked at Choi Jeong-hwan’s performance on the tablet.

He recorded 8 wins, 8 losses, an ERA of 4.20, and a WAR [Wins Above Replacement, a comprehensive statistic measuring a player’s overall contribution] of 2.45 in 132 innings.

It was an excellent performance as the team’s fourth starting pitcher.

Of course, he had pitched more innings than last season, so a salary increase was natural.

But is this really the best?

The thought that Choi Jeong-hwan’s potential that I believed in had not yet been fully realized wouldn’t go away.

Then, an idea suddenly struck my mind.

But…… is it possible?

In fact, it was such a rare occurrence that I couldn’t even recall if there had been such a case in the domestic league.

But shouldn’t an agent also suggest ways to improve Choi Jeong-hwan as an individual player?

“Ju-hyuk, I’m thinking of suggesting this to Jeong-hwan, what do you think?”

Lee Ju-hyuk listened to my story with a face full of interest.

After carefully considering my words, he opened his mouth.

“I’ve seen it often in the United States, but is such a transition possible in Korea?”

“Let’s focus on Jeong-hwan as an individual, regardless of the team.”

“Hmm……. Looking at the indicators, it seems worth a try.”

“Right?”

Okay, let’s talk about it first.

If he doesn’t want it, there’s no need to worry about it anymore.