Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 137

137. The Second Salary Negotiation (4)

“Let’s switch a proven starting pitcher to a closer?”

“Yes.”

Kim Gyu-sang, the Doubles’ general manager, couldn’t hide his embarrassment at my confident remark.

“The fact that we can get a closer right away is very attractive, but… considering we have to give up a proven starting pitcher, I wonder if this is a reasonable choice.”

From the team’s perspective, it would seem absurd.

“Of course, changing a starting pitcher to a closer is hard to imagine. But, to be blunt, it will be difficult for Choi Jeong-hwan to take on the role of a frontline starter anytime soon. He will be pushed down the list when deciding on a postseason starter for the time being.”

“That’s quite a provocative statement.”

Kim Gyu-sang said with a surprised expression.

I thought a frank assessment was necessary, even if he was our player.

That way, I can suggest what is really needed.

“Isn’t it worth trying if we can give up a fourth or fifth starter and get a reliable closer?”

“That’s not wrong.”

Kim Gyu-sang took a deep breath, as if revealing his worries.

“We can use foreign players for starting pitchers, but we have to develop domestic players for bullpen pitchers. There are no sure players in the free agent [FA] market, and even if there are, it will cost a lot to recruit them.”

Like hitters, there was a huge shortage of reliable pitchers compared to demand, so the price was bound to be higher than expected.

“But… can Choi Jeong-hwan really succeed as a closer? There is no denying that he has a good ability to strike out, but taking responsibility for the 9th inning isn’t just about having good stuff.”

“He showed powerful pitching even in this postseason, where each game was fiercely contested, even in the tight mid-to-late innings.”

Moreover, he proved that there was no problem with pitching in consecutive games, appearing in three games in the series.

If he refines his control here, he will surely become one of the best closers in the league.

“By the way, isn’t it better for the player to establish himself as a starting pitcher? Even if they succeed in the bullpen, most pitchers want to get a starting position.”

“This idea came about because I was thinking about how to maximize the potential of the players we represent. Of course, the player himself wants to try it.”

“So, CEO Kang, you think Choi Jeong-hwan can be more successful as a closer?”

“Absolutely.”

Kim Gyu-sang nodded, as if he understood after hearing my confident answer.

“Thank you for the good idea, but I don’t think I can decide this alone right now. I will have a serious meeting with the manager and pitching coach.”

“You should. I’m not saying to make a decision in a hurry, but I hope you can let me know as soon as possible. The player needs to prepare accordingly.”

“Okay. We will try to decide as quickly as possible. We will let you know by the end of the year.”

As the conversation seemed to be over, I picked up my bag and got up from my seat.

Kim Gyu-sang also got up with me.

“Then I guess we’ll see you at Go Ji-hoon’s FA negotiation.”

“I guess so.”

“You’ll negotiate with us first, right?”

“I have to.”

It was standard practice to negotiate with the original team first, even if you listen to offers from other teams.

“I hope we can get the results we both want.”

“Of course.”

I smiled brightly and left the Doubles’ general manager’s office.

By the way, what was hidden in the special characters of the information window?

* * *

The live broadcast of our agency, which received a warm response as time went by, continued throughout the postseason.

In particular, Michael Scott participated without returning to the United States.

It was unclear whether he really wanted to participate in the live broadcast or wanted to eat the seasoned chicken that came in as a sponsor, but it was true that he strongly expressed his intention to participate.

Anyway, as the live broadcast gained explosive popularity beyond expectations, the promotional effect of the sponsored brand was highly evaluated.

Michael Scott’s scene-stealing mukbang [eating broadcast] must have played a part.

It was positive in many ways, as the agency was able to generate considerable revenue.

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo were closely checked by the opposing pitchers from the time they met the Dragons, who had a solid pitching staff, unlike the semi-playoffs with the Doubles.

Perhaps because of that, they did not show the explosive hitting they had shown in the regular season.

It was something that could be solved as they gained more postseason experience.

In the end, the Dragons defeated the Buffaloes 3-2 in the playoffs and won the Korean Series ticket.

As a result, a rematch was held between the teams that faced off in the Korean Series last season.

The Wolves players, who had confirmed their direct entry to the Korean Series as the first place in the season and were waiting for their opponent, were said to be happy with the news that they would be able to avenge their defeat a year ago.

And then came the long-awaited Korean Series.

The Wolves and Dragons had a perfect 8-8 record against each other this season.

It was difficult to predict the winning team, as the opinions of experts were also divided.

A fierce game was expected to begin in the Korean Series.

The Wolves, who perfectly compensated for the weaknesses of the infield by recruiting Ji Young-wook from the Angels in the early season, showed a different look from last season.

The Dragons also continued their fierce game, using Na Jun-ho’s home run as a weapon.

During the six games, there was a fierce battle in which no game was more than 3 points apart…

In the end, the winner of this season was the Wolves with 4 wins and 2 losses.

After the Korean Series, articles related to the winning team, the Wolves, poured out.

Among them, there was an article that caught my attention.

└The trade I made at the beginning of the season was a godsend.

└I thought it was crazy to give up the left-handed bullpen, but if you exchange it for a championship, it’s a different story.

└From now on, if there is any change in the players of Dream Agency, I think we need to seriously consider it rather than ignoring it as nonsense.

└But is there any more source left? It is unlikely that players like Oh Seok-hoon or Park Seong-joo will transfer suddenly.

└Kang Hyun-woo might be planning something somewhere again.

└I wonder where and what kind of one-shot he will show this time.

└It will be fun to watch the stove league [off-season player movement] after the postseason.

Salary negotiations with the Buffaloes were held during the Korean Series.

The negotiations went very smoothly, as they had a career-high season and performed well compared to all the players in the league.

The fact that both players had only two seasons left to meet the FA requirements also helped to facilitate the negotiations.

Oh Seok-hoon: 350 million won.
Park Seong-joo: 330 million won.

Both were more than 200% higher than last year.

And I renegotiated with the Angels.

Perhaps because my strong action worked, they negotiated much more cooperatively than at first.

In the end, I was able to sign for 400 million won with a 60% increase, which was my initial goal.

Now, our agency has only one negotiation left with the last team.

* * *

The most questionable thing while negotiating with other clubs was that the Pelicans had never contacted me.

There was no reply to the email sent by the company as soon as the regular season ended.

They finished last this season as well, and there was no chance of advancing to the postseason long before the season ended, so why were they so late in processing things?

There was no choice but to go and check it out myself.

“Manager, how have you been?”

“Hmm, welcome.”

Kim Seok-won, the Pelicans’ general manager, responded lukewarmly to my bright greeting.

What’s going on?

I focused on the information window to be updated to find out his situation.

-Upset with Kang Hyun-woo for failing to recruit Michael Scott.

-Plans to be uncooperative in this salary negotiation.

What is this?

He said that it would be difficult to recruit a player like Michael Scott, but he’s upset with me?

And he’s going to be uncooperative in this negotiation?

That’s absurd.

“Please sit down.”

Kim Seok-won’s words were dry.

The situation was absurd, but I sat down as if nothing had happened.

“Manager, have you been very busy lately?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I thought you would call me as soon as the regular season ended, but there was no reply at all.”

“Ah, there was something going on. There are a lot of things a general manager has to do when the season ends.”

His awkward acting shows that what he just said was 100% a lie.

I’ve already finished salary negotiations with other team managers, so there’s no way only the Pelicans are busy.

“Well, this is the busiest time, right?”

Kim Seok-won didn’t respond to my question and was just rummaging through the documents in front of him.

I had no choice but to move on to the next topic.

“Manager, can we proceed with So Young-joon’s salary negotiation today?”

“Ah, I have to. Ugh, it’s a job to negotiate every year.”

Well, it’s natural to be a job.

That’s why the team owner gave you a lot of money and put you in that position to do that job.

“Then, how about I give you a brief overview?”

So Young-joon’s performance this season was really great.

After meeting and talking with me, he became a completely different player and recorded .268 batting average, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, WAR [Wins Above Replacement] 3.10, and wRC+ [Weighted Runs Created Plus] 125.

Except for the beginning, he played well in shortstop defense.

If he hadn’t belonged to the last-place Pelicans, he might have shown better indicators.

That’s why I had a lot to say about So Young-joon’s performance this season.

But,

“Let’s talk after looking at this first.”

Kim Seok-won threw a piece of paper at me.

“What is this?”

“We finished 10th again this season. It’s sad news that doesn’t need any further explanation.”

“So maybe…”

A bad feeling flashed through my head.

And that feeling did not go wrong.

“I have no choice but to cut it this time.”