Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 222

222
Preparing for Next Year (1)

With the Korean Series concluded, the season officially ended, and I began salary negotiations with each club.

I started with Choi Jeong-hwan and Jang Su-young, whose teams hadn’t made it to the postseason.

First was Choi Jeong-hwan, who had a 2.20 ERA with 28 saves.

Except for a brief shaky period at the start, he was remarkably consistent as a closer.

Even though the Doubles team stumbled and missed the postseason, Choi Jeong-hwan reliably protected the 9th inning.

We agreed to a contract with almost a 100% increase, from 130 million won to 230 million won.

Jang Su-young’s salary negotiation, after he posted a 2.03 ERA with 21 saves, also went smoothly.

We finalized his contract with a 100 million won increase from last season’s 400 million won, bringing it to 500 million won.

Then came the salary negotiation I was most concerned about: So Young-joon.

I worried about how Kim Seok-won, the Pelicans’ general manager, would react and whether this negotiation would go well.

I braced myself for the worst-case scenario: going to salary arbitration again.

He batted .289 with 25 home runs and 85 RBIs, a significant improvement over last season’s .268 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs, even looking at basic stats.

Unlike last season, he didn’t slump at the beginning, so all his advanced metrics improved considerably.

Everyone acknowledged his strong performance; the question was how much the Pelicans would offer.

Last season, So Young-joon’s salary was 100 million won, which he received through salary arbitration.

Fortunately, this time, the Pelicans’ operations team leader, not General Manager Kim Seok-won, handled So Young-joon’s salary negotiation.

While Kim Seok-won’s final approval was still needed, I was relieved not to have to meet and talk with him directly.

The Pelicans’ operations team leader asked us to propose our desired salary first.

I wasn’t sure if it was because the operations team leader lacked approval authority or if he wanted to control the negotiation, but we initially asked for more than we thought was reasonable.

We proposed 300 million won, a 200% increase from 100 million won.

Looking back at last year, it seemed absurd, but public opinion was now on our side, not Kim Seok-won’s.

If we went to salary arbitration again, Kim Seok-won risked being dismissed.

The fact that So Young-joon’s free agency [FA, the ability to sign with any team] was only two years away also helped our negotiation.

Since we were indirectly communicating through the operations team leader, progress was slower than with other negotiations.

The upside was that they didn’t propose a pay cut or freeze like last season.

Even though we finished 10th again, So Young-joon’s significantly improved performance must have made a difference.

After several meetings and discussions, we finally agreed to a contract with a 150% increase, bringing it to 250 million won.

Considering how hard we fought to raise it by 30 million won last season through salary arbitration, it was a huge improvement.

As soon as the Buffaloes finished their postseason run, salary negotiations with Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju began.

Last season, Oh Seok-hoon’s salary was 350 million won, and Park Seong-ju’s was 330 million won.

Oh Seok-hoon batted .336 with 13 home runs, 28 stolen bases, and 85 RBIs before his injury, while Park Seong-ju batted .293 with 35 home runs and 104 RBIs.

Both had performed well for two consecutive seasons.

Moreover, with their FA contracts coming up next year, the Buffaloes organization seemed keen to avoid upsetting players vital to the team, starting with the initial offer.

It was likely also a strategy to increase the compensation they’d receive if either player signed with another domestic club.

Ultimately, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju signed for 550 million won each.

They became the highest-paid players not yet in free agency.

There was no need for separate salary negotiations with Na Joon-ho and Go Ji-hoon, who had already signed FA contracts.

Although they were guaranteed high salaries regardless of performance, their performance this season proved that signing them to FA contracts was the right decision.

Now, the only team left was the Jaguars, who had played in the Korean Series until the very end.

Donald Watson planned to pursue a major league debut, so there was nothing to discuss with the Jaguars regarding him.

Michael Scott and Seo Seong-min had exceeded expectations, so a significant raise was guaranteed.

I planned to meet with Jo Gwang-hoon, the Jaguars’ general manager, soon to begin negotiations.

* * *

The day after the Korean Series ended.

The agency was unusually quiet for the first time in a while.

With the season over and salary negotiations progressing smoothly, there wasn’t much to do.

Most of our affiliated players, including Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju, had returned home to rest.

Except for the Jaguars players, who had been playing until yesterday.

Donald Watson, Michael Scott, and Seo Seong-min were all scheduled to visit the agency today.

In the agency’s yard, Watson’s daughter was running around, waiting for her dad.

Luffy, who never tired of running, was a good playmate for her.

I sat facing Olivia and chatted.

“Olivia, the season’s already over. It’s disappointing to be without baseball for a while.”

“I know. It feels like it just started, but the weather’s already getting cold.”

Olivia looked regretful.

“Were you happy living in Korea?”

“Of course. I’m sad to leave now.”

“I’m also sad to see you go.”

“Even after I go back to the States, I’ll visit Korea often. I can speak basic Korean now.”

“Please let me know when you come. You’re part of our player’s family, so I’ll definitely come to greet you.”

Olivia smiled.

“Our Watson will find a good team next year, right?”

“Absolutely. Given Watson’s performance, many clubs will want him.”

“That’s a relief.”

Olivia smiled brightly.

And a little later,

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Finally, the bell rang.

“Papa!”

Watson’s daughter, sensing her dad’s arrival, ran to the front gate.

A moment later, she hugged Watson, who had opened the door.

Watson lifted her into his arms, smiling lovingly.

Michael Scott and Seo Seong-min stood behind Watson.

I greeted the three players.

“You all worked hard.”

“Boss, I’m disappointed. It would have been great to win the championship.”

Scott looked regretful.

“It’s amazing you made it this far this season. This is the first time you’ve gone from the Wild Card game to the Korean Series.”

Scott’s face brightened a little when I patted his shoulder.

I turned to Seo Seong-min.

“Seong-min, you worked hard too.”

“Thanks to you, I played in the Korean Series.”

“You were the best 6th hitter this season. You’re an irreplaceable player for the Jaguars now.”

Seo Seong-min not only had a career year but also excelled in the 6th spot, which helped Donald Watson, batting 5th, shine even more.

“Let’s go inside.”

I relaxed and chatted comfortably with Michael Scott, Donald Watson, and Seo Seong-min, setting aside the season’s tension for the first time in a while.

* * *

I sat across from Donald Watson in the office.

“Watson, were you personally satisfied with this season?”

“I had a lot of fun playing baseball. I wouldn’t have had this experience without Korea.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Watson not only had a good season but also finished it without any issues.

Now that Watson had kept his promise, it was my turn to keep mine.

“Sky Corporation, affiliated with our company, has already compiled data on you and is promoting it. We plan to formally propose contracts soon.”

“You mean a contract with a major league team…?”

“Of course. We need to find a club and sign a contract quickly so you can prepare for the season.”

“Um……”

Watson’s reaction wasn’t as enthusiastic as I expected.

“Is there anything specific you want?”

“I’m worried about which choice to make.”

“What’s bothering you?”

Watson hesitated and then said, “…Should I try to go to the major leagues next season?”

“Yes?”

I was surprised by his words.

“I’m worried about leaving Korea so soon. I’ve just gotten used to it, and I’m sad to move again.”

“But don’t you want to play in the major leagues? With this season’s performance, you should get a good contract.”

It was almost certain that Watson could play in the major leagues next season; the only question was the contract’s value.

“Of course, but my family seemed really comfortable living in Korea. That made me feel good too.”

“Ah… That’s true.”

In Korea, Watson didn’t have to worry about his family, even with all the travel during the season.

“It’s difficult. I don’t know what the right choice is.”

I gave him time to think, but he seemed unable to decide on his own.

I studied his expression and then said, “I think you want to stay in Korea more.”

“Do you think so?”

“When you decided to come to Korea, you said you wanted to go to the major leagues after one year. It doesn’t make sense to reject a major league offer and stay in Korea.”

“That’s true.”

“But the fact that it’s hard to decide means you want to stay in Korea, right? Enough to hesitate about accepting the major league offer?”

“Um……”

Watson thought for a long time.

Finally, after much deliberation, Watson decided to play in the Korean league for one more year.

Scott also said he wanted to stay.

This was Scott’s first season as a full-time starter, and he wanted more experience before trying to move up.

He also wanted to win the championship next year.

Most importantly, Scott was still in his mid-20s, so there was no need to rush.

The plan to send the two players to the major leagues was postponed for a season.