Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 223

Preparing for Next Year (2)

Since there were no free agent (FA) signings this winter, we only needed to handle salary negotiations.

This time, however, I had to prepare in advance for major league contracts next season.

With Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju becoming free agents at the end of next season, it was a crucial period for them.

Since the best players in the domestic league were entering the transfer market, predictions of record-breaking FA contracts were circulating.

And, as free agents, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju were in a position to freely attempt to advance to the major leagues.

Knowing that several major league teams were already interested, there was no reason for them not to try.

In addition, Donald Watson’s potential move to the major leagues also needed to be prepared for.

No matter how satisfied he was with his life in Korea, I couldn’t let him play here forever.

And I couldn’t leave out Michael Scott, who had risen to become the best starting pitcher.

If he showed the same performance in his second full-time starting season as he did this year, he would have a very high chance of signing a major league contract.

Signing a contract with a major league team was a great achievement in itself, but more important was ensuring they performed well even after going to the major leagues.

To do that, it was necessary to figure out which teams would be the best fit for each player’s playing style.

While there were 10 domestic baseball teams, there were 30 major league teams, making the research three times as complicated, even by simple calculation.

All of this information was being shared and discussed with Sky Corporation, our agency’s affiliate, even during the season.

And today was the day I was scheduled to meet with Kim Sang-wook of Sky Corporation.

I met Kim Sang-wook at the hotel cafe on the first floor, where we always met.

“Representative Kang, welcome.”

Kim Sang-wook greeted me politely as always.

I shook hands with Kim Sang-wook and sat down across from him.

“We expect Donald Watson to be able to sign a huge contract.”

“We plan to wait until the last minute for an even bigger deal.”

Sky Corporation was naturally proceeding with a project in anticipation of Watson’s advancement to the major leagues.

Kim Sang-wook started the conversation as soon as he sat down.

“Major league teams are already showing a lot of interest in Watson. He’s definitely an outstanding player. We’ve had inquiries from more than just a few teams.”

“Ah, wait a minute. There’s something I need to tell you first.”

“What is it?”

“Donald Watson wants to stay in Korea this season. It looks like his major league advancement will have to be postponed for one season.”

Kim Sang-wook tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand what I was saying.

“What? Several major league teams have already shown specific interest! I was planning to give you the data today, and that includes big market teams. That means a huge contract is possible.”

“Watson is very satisfied with his life in Korea, and he also has a clear goal of winning the championship with the Jaguars.”

“Hmm… Even so, shouldn’t you try to persuade him? Playing in the major leagues is much better than winning a championship in the domestic league, isn’t it? Watson isn’t a very young player, so his value might drop more than expected if another season passes. And who knows what might happen to Watson next season.”

He was 100% right.

Donald Watson was also heading towards his mid-30s, so it was clear that a one-year difference would make a huge difference in the total contract amount.

“This is the conclusion we reached after a long period of consideration with the player. I want to respect the player’s opinion.”

“Hoo… I guess Representative Kang Hyun-woo isn’t an ordinary person after all. You’re about to let hundreds of millions of won [Korean currency, roughly equivalent to hundreds of thousands of US dollars] come and go right before your eyes.”

Kim Sang-wook took a deep breath, then lifted his head with a faint smile on his face.

“Instead, I will manage him perfectly so that he can sign a good contract next year.”

“So, you think Watson will be able to perform well next year too?”

“Of course. We will use every method possible to ensure that the player can show a good performance.”

“Hmm… I understand. Since Representative Kang is saying it himself, I’ll have to trust and wait.”

Kim Sang-wook nodded, unable to hide his disappointment.

“Thank you.”

I smiled at Kim Sang-wook.

“So, after next season, Donald Watson, Oh Seok-hoon, and Park Seong-ju will all be challenging to advance to the major leagues at the same time?”

“Michael Scott is also there.”

“Ah, right. The hottest players in the domestic league will be moving at the same time. The Buffaloes and Jaguars must be terrified, right?”

I could feel excitement and anticipation in Kim Sang-wook’s expression at the same time.

“What’s the reaction in the United States?”

“As I said, the reaction to Donald Watson is very enthusiastic. In fact, his skills have already been proven in the major leagues, and there have been many cases showing that the problems outside of his performance that had been pointed out have been resolved. I think a major league contract will be possible without any problems.”

“What about Michael Scott?”

“It’s the same with Scott. He doesn’t have any major league experience, but he’s still young. If he performs as well next year as he did this year, he will have no difficulty signing a major league contract.”

It was really fortunate that Scott was also receiving good reviews.

“What about Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju?”

“There is definitely a lot of interest in both players. Judging by their age alone, they will be in their prime as players even after next season. However, it is not yet verified what kind of performance they will show in the major leagues. That part will be the most important issue.”

There were several cases of Korean pitchers advancing to the major leagues and succeeding, but not hitters.

Therefore, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju had to be precedents.

“Hmm… Then, if they show a good performance in the international competition next year, will they be able to receive positive evaluations?”

“Oh, if that’s the case, they will definitely be able to appeal [show their value].”

“I understand. The agency will also prepare well.”

I need to prepare not only for next season but also for doing well in the international competition.

“And…”

Kim Sang-wook trailed off for a moment, then carefully continued.

“Oh Seok-hoon was injured recently, right? I think the key will be how to convince the major league teams about this part.”

That’s right.

Until now, Oh Seok-hoon was a player with the ability to steal 20 bases and hit 20 home runs (a “20-20” player). However, since he suffered a hamstring injury with a high probability of recurrence, a considerable blow was unavoidable.

* * *

A few days after the end of the Korean Series [championship series of the KBO League], I was able to see some good news online.

└They made it to the Korean Series, so they have to renew the contract no matter what.

└Even in his second year, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had been fired right away, but a lot has really changed in the meantime.

└Honestly, isn’t Kang Hyun-woo basically giving Jo Gwang-hoon a lifeline? If it weren’t for Michael Scott and Donald Watson, they wouldn’t have even been able to step foot in the Korean Series.

└Leaving aside the Korean Series, it’s questionable whether he would have been able to complete his contract period.

└That’s a fact lol

I had built up enough trust with General Manager Jo Gwang-hoon beyond just friendship, so it was a good thing for me too.

Even if it wasn’t related to the Jaguars, I could freely ask for anything I needed in the negotiation process, like last time.

And a few hours later, I received a call from Jo Gwang-hoon.

He said he would like to treat me to a meal, so I should keep my schedule open for tomorrow night.

Since I had to meet with General Manager Jo Gwang-hoon to negotiate anyway, there was no reason to refuse.

The next evening, I headed to the address Jo Gwang-hoon sent me, according to the appointment time.

It was a high-end Korean beef restaurant.

You could tell at a glance that it was quite expensive just by looking at the exterior.

The beef they sell here must be very expensive.

I followed the employee’s guidance and moved to where Jo Gwang-hoon was waiting.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The employee knocked and opened the door, and I could see Jo Gwang-hoon waiting.

Jo Gwang-hoon, who had already gotten up, greeted me with a bright smile.

“Representative Kang, welcome. Was it a bit of a distance to get here?”

“It took a while, but it’s a really wonderful place.”

“This place is famous. I wanted to bring Representative Kang here sometime.”

“Thank you.”

I shook hands with Jo Gwang-hoon naturally.

“I feel like I’m flying because I signed a contract renewal for the general manager position with good conditions.”

“I plan to do everything I can to win the Korean Series next season.”

“Please, sit down.”

Jo Gwang-hoon pointed to the seat opposite him with his hand.

As soon as I sat down, I offered him my congratulations.

“General Manager, congratulations on your contract renewal.”

“Oh, thank you. It’s all thanks to Representative Kang.”

“You’re welcome. What did I do?”

“Our team’s good performance this time is thanks to Dream Agency. Hahaha.”

Jo Gwang-hoon laughed heartily, making the room echo.

Soon after, the employee came in with the beef.

As I was about to grab the tongs to grill the meat,

“Representative Kang, give that to me.”

“I’ll grill it.”

“Come on, give it to me. I’m treating you today.”

“No, but you’re older than me…”

“Give it to me.”

Jo Gwang-hoon took the tongs I was holding as if snatching them away.

Then he started grilling the beef himself.

Sizzle.

The moment the meat was placed on the grill, a mouth-watering sound echoed.

Before long, juices started flowing from the meat on the grill.

“Representative Kang, eat a lot. You can order as much as you want if it’s not enough, so let’s eat until we’re full.”

Jo Gwang-hoon handed me a piece of well-cooked beef.

“General Manager, I will enjoy the meal.”

“Eat it. Eat it.”

Jo Gwang-hoon kept gesturing.

I picked up the meat and put it in my mouth,

“Oh, it’s really delicious. Even the texture is different.”

“Right? The meat here is amazing.”

“I think the General Manager’s grilling skills are good too?”

“I’m a master of grilling meat. Hahaha.”

We started talking about light topics, but we were naturally moving on to baseball stories.

“Now that you’ve made it to the Korean Series, has the parent company said anything about providing support?”

“As a matter of fact, it looks like they’re planning to support us properly. When I renewed my contract this time, the president told me to aim for the championship next year.”

Excitement was fully felt on Jo Gwang-hoon’s face.

Should I tell Jo Gwang-hoon the news at this timing?

“General Manager, I couldn’t come empty-handed, so I’d like to give you a gift.”

“Suddenly a gift? What is it?”

Jo Gwang-hoon looked at me with an expectant expression.