Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 141

141. Difficult FA Negotiations (3)

“What did you just say?”

“We’re offering 2 billion won for 3 years.”

Kim Gyu-sang repeated the same words as before.

It wasn’t that I misheard him.

I was used to disagreements over the amount, but I never expected it to start with the contract length.

Do they really want to sign me?

While I was confused by the unexpected situation, Kim Gyu-sang’s information window updated.

-Planning to stabilize the starting pitching rotation by signing a starting pitcher.

-Believes Koh Ji-hoon’s transfer is impossible.

Believes Koh Ji-hoon’s transfer is impossible…

Did they make such an absurd offer because they thought I couldn’t transfer to another team?

I tried to maintain a nonchalant expression and asked.

“How did you come up with 2 billion won for 3 years?”

“It’s a contract bonus of 500 million won and an annual salary of 500 million won.”

There’s a signing bonus close to the annual salary, but this is just a multi-year contract.

“Koh Ji-hoon’s current annual salary is 450 million won, though?”

“CEO Kang, what are the chances that Koh Ji-hoon will maintain his current capabilities for the next 3 years?”

Kim Gyu-sang retorted without hesitation to my question.

“…….”

“500 million won is higher than his current salary. Moreover, it’s an offer that guarantees that for 3 years, considering he’s getting older. It can’t be said to be insufficient.”

“But Koh Ji-hoon is currently a Doubles’ 2-3 starting pitcher. He’s also a player who would definitely be mentioned if we had to select the national team right now. I can’t help but think that an offer of 2 billion won in total for such a player is too insincere.”

“You can’t leave out the injuries. He was out for more than 3 months this season alone. And that was in the summer when the competition for rankings was fierce. If Koh Ji-hoon had kept the starting rotation at that time, our team could have achieved a higher result than 4th place.”

As expected, they brought up the injury issue.

Then I should refute, as prepared.

“Of course, I regret that this injury has disrupted the team. But these 3 months were by no means a waste of time for Koh Ji-hoon.”

I took out the medical opinion from the documents I had brought and handed it to Kim Gyu-sang.

“What is this?”

“The back injury has plagued Koh Ji-hoon throughout his career.”

“That’s right.”

“As you can see from the contents, Koh Ji-hoon’s physical condition is said to be very good, even among recent years. This is the official answer I received from his doctor.”

“How can you be sure of that?”

“He has been in charge of Koh Ji-hoon since he was a rookie, like his primary doctor. He knows Koh Ji-hoon’s physical condition more accurately than anyone else.”

“Hmm… There have been more than one or two times when he was fine in the beginning but hurt in the middle. This one medical opinion won’t solve everything.”

He’s quite firm.

Then I should approach it in a different way.

“Then add an option clause. With the option, the club can reduce the burden. No matter how I think about it, I can’t agree to the condition of 2 billion won in total.”

It’s clear that Koh Ji-hoon has some risk, so I have to concede where I can.

“Options are good. Let’s discuss it in a way that we can both win.”

“Ah, before that, I think we should talk about the contract period again.”

“…….”

“Koh Ji-hoon is not about to retire, and I don’t think he’s in a situation where he can’t be guaranteed a 4-year contract.”

“Hmm… I don’t know.”

Looking at Kim Gyu-sang’s expression, I could easily tell that he didn’t agree.

After a moment of consideration, he threw out a new proposal instead of agreeing.

“Then how about 3+1 years? A method of extending it for 1 year if the performance meets the conditions.”

“There are many differences in our thoughts.”

The new proposal was not satisfactory to me at all.

“There’s no room to argue that Koh Ji-hoon is a skilled player, but it’s also a clear fact that there are risks.”

“Hmm… Well… I understand the club’s position well. Let’s meet and talk next time.”

It seemed difficult to narrow our thoughts by talking any more today.

It was also necessary to examine the situation of the market.

I trudged out of the Doubles’ general manager’s office.

It didn’t seem like a problem that could be solved simply by meeting several times.

Then I have to use all the methods.

I indirectly informed Lee Soo-min of the negotiation atmosphere with the Doubles via message.

It was also to check public opinion and to put pressure on the Doubles.

└It’s still early, but is there a big difference in thinking?

└Lee Soo-min’s report from Dream Agency is reliable.

└Even so, shouldn’t the Doubles unconditionally catch a starting pitcher like Koh Ji-hoon?

└Healthy Koh Ji-hoon is truly untouchable.

└But the problem is that he hasn’t played a full season with that ‘healthy’ body for a while.

└Compared to other ace-class starting pitchers, his inning-eating ability is also poor, and he often lies down for months due to injuries, so it’s ambiguous.

└Moreover, Koh Ji-hoon is old, so you don’t know how much more he will collapse in the future.

└How much has Koh Ji-hoon done for them so far, and the Doubles are treating him like this? Go all in.

└FA [Free Agency] should look at future value. You’ve already been compensated for what you’ve done so far with your salary.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t very favorable.

* * *

As I was about to leave the Doubles’ stadium, I heard someone calling me.

“CEO Kang!”

“Oh, Manager!”

The person who was approaching me with hurried steps was Choi Yong-seok, the manager of the Doubles.

He rushed over as if something had happened.

“CEO Kang, if you have time, can we go inside and talk for a while?”

-Final consideration is ahead of Choi Jeong-hwan’s decision to switch to closer.

“Yes, of course.”

“Let’s go this way.”

I was led by Choi Yong-seok’s hand and entered the Doubles’ manager’s office.

Choi Yong-seok gestured for me to sit down and picked up the phone to call someone.

“Coach Lee, can you come to the manager’s office right now? CEO Kang is here.”

Who is it that he’s calling while saying my name?

After finishing the call, Choi Yong-seok smiled brightly and sat facing me.

“I was wondering if I should visit the company, but I’m so glad to have run into you like this.”

“Is there something wrong?”

“Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“It would be nice to share the details with Coach Lee…”

Choi Yong-seok was anxiously looking at the door, and not long after, there was a knock.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The person who opened the door and came in was Lee Sang-hak, the Doubles’ pitching coach.

Lee Sang-hak came in panting heavily.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“Coach Lee. Come and sit down.”

Lee Sang-hak briefly greeted me without even taking a breath and sat across from me.

Choi Yong-seok started the conversation instead of Lee Sang-hak, who was panting.

“CEO Kang, I heard that you suggested switching Jeong-hwan to closer.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Is it really okay to switch Jeong-hwan to closer?”

“If the Doubles’ coaching staff judges it’s okay, there won’t be any problem. Choi Jeong-hwan has already agreed to it.”

“There are a few things we’re worried about.”

Choi Yong-seok opened his mouth, and Lee Sang-hak, who had regained some breath, took over the conversation.

“In Jeong-hwan’s case, his strengths and weaknesses are clear, so it’s not that we haven’t considered the method of turning him into a bullpen pitcher… but we were cautious. If he’s a player with Jeong-hwan’s potential, I thought we should raise him as a starter in the long term.”

“That’s right, but I think it’s also a good way to have him establish himself as a professional closer to maximize Jeong-hwan’s strengths.”

I looked at Choi Yong-seok and Lee Sang-hak alternately and nodded.

“He’s a pitcher with good velocity, so he might be competitive. But as you know better than anyone else, Jeong-hwan’s control isn’t very good, and he can’t actively compete on the body side.”

Lee Sang-hak asked with a worried expression.

“He’s still a young player. If he gains experience in real battles, he can sufficiently make up for his weaknesses. And if it’s Jeong-hwan’s velocity in the domestic league right now, shouldn’t he be competitive enough? Even if he has difficulty competing on the body side.”

“…That’s true.”

Lee Sang-hak nodded as if he agreed and asked one more thing.

“Then you’ve also considered the value aspect of being recognized as a player? Jeong-hwan will also meet the FA [Free Agency] requirements soon, but if he’s a bullpen pitcher instead of a starter, the unit of his value may be different.”

“Of course. It’s a really important part of what the agency has to worry about. And if he grows into the best closer in the country, wouldn’t his value be whatever he asks for?”

Moreover, at this rate, Choi Jeong-hwan could apply for FA in his late 20s.

An accomplished closer in his late 20s.

How much would his value be in the domestic league?

Choi Yong-seok and Lee Sang-hak exchanged glances, and Choi Yong-seok took over the conversation.

“Then let’s try it. It seems like a good way for our team too.”

“Yes. Then I will also help Jeong-hwan prepare hard during the winter.”

As the conversation seemed to be over, I got up from my seat, but Lee Sang-hak asked me casually.

“Will Ji-hoon’s negotiations be able to be concluded well?”

“If we agree that we need each other’s existence, good results will come out.”

“I’d appreciate it. The Doubles need Ji-hoon’s role next year too.”

“I hope I can deliver good news.”

I had no choice but to give a bitter smile while answering Lee Sang-hak.

After finishing all the work, I left the Doubles’ stadium.

Not long after my story, the Doubles’ official press release came out, and related articles were uploaded.

└No matter how urgent the bullpen is, what are you going to do if you turn a perfectly good starter?

└Are you out of your mind? How many domestic starters can rotate in the Doubles?

└It means that the Doubles will unconditionally catch Koh Ji-hoon. If they can’t catch him, the starting lineup will be a real disaster.

└What’s the difference between taking the bottom stone out and supporting the top stone? lol [laughing out loud]

└Choi Jeong-hwan belongs to Kang Hyun-woo’s agency. There must be a reason why he suddenly changed his position like this.

└I’m looking forward to it because his fastball velocity is good.

└How does Kang Hyun-woo always cause unpredictable things?

└Everything that seemed like nonsense so far turned out to be correct. Let’s just watch quietly.