Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 195

195. A Series of Commotions (4)

I visited the Pelicans’ stadium to meet with Pelicans General Manager Kim Seok-won.

Even though it was our first time facing each other since the salary arbitration request, I felt unpleasant, as if we had just met yesterday.

Kim Seok-won’s dissatisfied expression made me feel even worse.

However, to achieve So Young-joon’s goal, his decision was absolutely necessary.

I needed to suppress my emotions as much as possible this time.

I forced a smile and started the conversation.

“General Manager, you look much better than the last time I saw you.”

“How could I suddenly look better? It would be a relief if I didn’t age because of the stress those around me cause. Hmph.”

Kim Seok-won’s reaction was as cynical as expected.

It wasn’t easy to smile brightly at him, but I had no choice right now.

“Are you really planning to proceed with the trade?”

“Hasn’t your agency already been stirring things up? Do you even know how many calls I’ve received from reporters because of that?”

Kim Seok-won frowned deeply as he replied.

“If the club could help the player regain his composure, the situation could change significantly.”

“We could?”

More accurately, not we, but you.

“This situation arose because of the interview you gave, General Manager. You need to clear up the misunderstanding with the player to resolve this issue.”

“Well… it’s not like I said anything untrue.”

It was the exact same annoying expression I saw during the last salary negotiation.

Ugh, I just want to…
Haa… I have to be patient.

“Wouldn’t Young-joon’s absence significantly impact the Pelicans’ lineup? You can’t possibly be unaware of his importance in both offense and defense.”

“From the club’s perspective, a player who creates so much trouble is a nuisance. He not only made a fuss during salary negotiations but also disrupts the team atmosphere in various ways during the season. How could we like him?”

I barely stopped myself from saying, I hope So Young-joon gets traded quickly so you don’t have to see him again.

“So, are you really going to continue like this?”

“If the cards align, we can proceed at any time. If it benefits us, there’s no reason to refuse.”

It seemed impossible to change Kim Seok-won’s mind.

“Then we’ll keep that in mind and prepare accordingly.”

I finished the conversation with Kim Seok-won and left his office without looking back.

Then, I immediately leaked this information to Lee Soo-min.

Soon after, I could see the article.

└Ugh, it’s another article by Lee Soo-min. So, it’s almost a fact that Dream Agency is handling it?

└There’s talk that the Jaguars made a serious offer.

└They already have Kim Jae-hyung, who defends well. Why a shortstop?

└They’re probably planning to use him as a designated hitter. Just strengthening the core lineup would be a huge boost.

└Wow. Are they really aiming for the championship? If they strengthen the lineup here, it wouldn’t be an absurd story. I’m genuinely excited.

└Ah… this is a big problem for the Pelicans. Please, no ㅠㅠ

* * *

Not long after the article was published, Pelicans Manager Lim Woon-ho burst into the general manager’s office.

“General Manager, what is going on?”

“Oh, Manager Lim. Come on in.”

Kim Seok-won calmly gestured for Lim Woon-ho to sit down.

“What is the meaning of this?”

However, Lim Woon-ho’s expression was filled with anger.

“What do you mean? When you run a club, these things happen.”

“How can you make such a decision without consulting me!”

“Come on. If the situation is urgent, the general manager can proceed quickly.”

“What urgent matter are you talking about?”

“Well… there was a reason.”

Kim Seok-won avoided eye contact as he replied.

“Why did the trade come up out of nowhere? I’ve never heard anything like this before.”

“I never said anything like that. So Young-joon brought it up first. You saw So Young-joon’s interview, didn’t you, Manager Lim?”

“Haa… Even if the player brought it up first, shouldn’t we try to help him regain his composure through conversation?”

Lim Woon-ho glared at Kim Seok-won with sharp eyes as he asked.

“One player is disrupting the chemistry of the entire team. We need to eliminate the cause as quickly as possible. Isn’t that how the team will function properly?”

“…Then do you have a plan if Young-joon leaves?”

“If we trade him, we can bring in good players from other teams, right? That should be enough to solve it. It’s not like So Young-joon is some amazing player who’s going to win a Gold Glove [award for defensive excellence]. Why are you making such a fuss?”

Kim Seok-won frowned deeply as he replied.

“Are there any teams that will give up their starting shortstop right away?”

“We can bring in a shortstop anytime. Or there are many kids on our team who can play shortstop. We can just let them play.”

“Huh… You must know how important the shortstop position is. Are you saying we should run the rest of the season with backup players?”

Lim Woon-ho couldn’t hide his absurd expression and burst into laughter.

“Isn’t it good if we can give those players a chance this time? That’s how those players grow, by getting opportunities.”

“It’s difficult to fill the void of a starting shortstop right away! Especially when the season is in full swing.”

“A manager should be prepared for that. Anything can happen during a season. Are you saying you haven’t even thought about that?”

“Even trading a starting player in the middle of the season without consulting the manager?”

“It’s possible to get injured at any time, even if it’s not a trade. It’s not uncommon for players to get hurt during games.”

“Hoo…”

After hearing Kim Seok-won’s answer, Lim Woon-ho took a deep breath as if he was frustrated and didn’t say anything.

As the conversation paused, only an awkward atmosphere hung heavily.

Then Kim Seok-won opened his mouth.

“We haven’t even received a concrete trade offer yet. We might even be able to bring in a better player. Wait and see. I’ll try to match the cards well.”

“Are there any teams that will give us their starting players right now? If we trade with our team, they’ll likely ask for several promising prospects, right?”

“It’s even better if promising players come to our team. Our Pelicans’ future will be brighter.”

Kim Seok-won replied with a smile.

“Haa… General Manager, are we in 10th place because we don’t have prospects? Isn’t it because we don’t have players who can anchor and lead the team right now?”

“I hired you as the manager to develop those prospects into such players! It’s not like you didn’t know that our team needed a rebuild.”

“Just filling the lineup with young players isn’t a rebuild. How much help do veteran players provide on the field! Rebuilding should also be done with a long-term perspective.”

Lim Woon-ho’s voice was getting louder.

“Okay. I understand your thoughts, so wait calmly. I’ll try to bring in veteran players as well.”

After hearing Kim Seok-won’s answer, Lim Woon-ho paused for a moment.

Then, he looked at Kim Seok-won with fierce eyes and opened his mouth.

“No. The moment Young-joon is traded, I’ll take it as a sign for me to leave and resign immediately.”

“Manager Lim! What are you saying!”

Kim Seok-won shouted loudly enough to shake the general manager’s office.

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t have the confidence to run the team without Young-joon right now. If you still proceed with the trade after I’ve said this, I can only take it as a sign for me to leave.”

“Don’t take it so emotionally. I’m also trying to make our team better, even if just a little.”

“I’ll go prepare for the game now.”

Lim Woon-ho didn’t care about Kim Seok-won’s words and slammed the door shut as he left the general manager’s office.

* * *

The trade market was bustling in the past few days.

Unlike the Jang Soo-young case, I couldn’t take the lead in this trade.

Since General Manager Kim Seok-won’s view of me and our agency wasn’t favorable, I decided to step back a bit because actively participating would likely lead to negative results.

As a result, many clubs were directly contacting the Pelicans’ general manager rather than contacting our agency.

Nevertheless, thanks to the news that Lee Soo-min and others were providing, it wasn’t difficult to assess the current situation.

Rumors began to circulate that some clubs were already making fairly concrete offers.

It was said that the Wolves, Dragons, Jaguars, and Buffaloes, all top-tier teams, had shown interest and made offers.

Most of them offered 2-3 prospects as cards, but it was difficult to know exactly which players they were.

Among them, the Jaguars were the only club that contacted me directly and accurately informed me of the proposed terms.

From my objective point of view, it was an offer that would sufficiently allow the Pelicans to get what they wanted.

I even began to expect that he might really go to the Jaguars.

I told So Young-joon about the progress I knew so far.

Michael Scott’s face brightened when the Jaguars’ story came up.

“Wow, So! We can play on the same team?”

“Scott, I might end up going to the Jaguars.”

“Wonderful. It was so hard to concentrate when I was facing So. Just seeing So’s face on the mound makes me want to dance.”

Then Scott moved his body as if he was riding a beat.

“Same here. It’s too hard to hit Scott’s pitches.”

“It would be really fun. When I’m pitching as a starter, it would be thrilling if So hit a home run and dove to make a play on defense, right?”

So Young-joon and Scott’s lips were turned up at the corners.

“Seeing you guys so happy, should I make sure it happens no matter what?”

Seeing the two of them unable to hide their excitement made me think that.

“Wonderful! So, Seo, and Watson in the center line would be so reliable. And if Han wears the catcher’s mask, it would be perfect, right?”

Scott clapped his hands and enjoyed himself as if he was satisfied just imagining the virtual lineup.

As we were sharing various imaginations and conversations,

Wee-ing-

A message came.

-CEO Kang, I’m planning to meet with the Pelicans’ general manager tomorrow to finalize the cards.

It was a message from Jaguars General Manager Jo Gwang-hoon.