Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 275

275. A Challenge for a Dream (1)

Our agency’s work began even before the lingering excitement of the Korean Series had completely faded.

A few days after the Korean Series concluded, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju successfully transitioned into free agents (FA) without any complications.

And with that, the stove league [the off-season period of player trades and contract negotiations] was about to begin.

└A batting king and a home run king… They’re sure to get a huge FA contract [referring to inflated contracts often given to free agents]. It’s a real shame the Buffaloes couldn’t win the championship this season.

└Even if it’s impossible to get both, I hope they can at least get one of them.

└The Buffaloes must have already made plans; surely, they wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

└Everyone already knows that Major League Baseball (MLB) has been interested and scouting them, but can the Buffaloes really keep them?

└Even if they decide to stay, I have no idea how much they would have to pay them.

└If they stay in the domestic league, teams with deep pockets will definitely jump in, so their value will only skyrocket.

└One thing is for sure, they’re both going to be rolling in money.

└Can’t they just stay for one more season? I want to see them win the championship one more time.

└Give it up. There’s no reason to keep a 20-win league MVP pitcher and a .320-hitting, 20-homer hitter who’s already proven himself in MLB.

└If they both leave, it’s like half of the team’s power is gone right after winning the championship ㅠㅠ [Korean emoticon representing crying].

└Jo Gwang-hoon and Kang Hyun-woo are practically inseparable, can’t they do something? It would be great if they could win one more championship and then leave.

└Kang Hyun-woo helped Watson stay last year. It’s too much to ask for more here.

└I expected it, but it still feels bitter to let them go.

└Don’t worry too much. Kang Hyun-woo will bring in new players to maintain the team’s strength.

In addition to the four players preparing for free agency or MLB, preparations were also underway for the salary negotiations of other players.

I was working hard with Lee Joo-hyuk, Jung In-gyu, and Kim Hyun-seung to compile data for these salary negotiations.

* * *

I met with Kim Sang-wook of Sky Corporation at a hotel in Seoul.

Kim Sang-wook had been in the United States during the postseason, after the regular season, to gauge the market and had just returned.

“Representative Kang, thank you for coming all this way.”

“It felt like no time at all, thinking about our players’ futures.”

We sat down and began talking immediately.

“Here’s an update on our players so far. We haven’t discussed specific figures, but this should give you a good sense of the current market.”

Kim Sang-wook handed me a summary of the information.

It was a summary of discussions with MLB teams.

It included each team’s situation and their expected offers.

I carefully reviewed the contents.

The player with the most information was Donald Watson.

“It looks like Watson only needs to decide which team’s contract to sign?”

Several teams had offered MLB contracts that included a minor league refusal clause [allowing the player to refuse being sent to the minor leagues].

There were slight differences in salary between teams, but not enough to significantly favor one over another.

It was the best situation he could hope for when returning to the United States.

Since he had already proven himself, things seemed to be progressing smoothly.

“I think he’ll be the first of the four players to sign a contract. MLB teams are likely to approach him right away.”

“Scott also has a lot of good offers.”

Several teams were willing to guarantee him a spot on the Major League 40-man roster [the list of 40 players a team can use during the season].

Since only 25 players can play in a Major League game, there was a possibility of starting in the minor leagues if he was among the remaining 15, but it was still a very good offer.

“I don’t think there will be any major problems with him signing an MLB contract. He’s a player who has won 20 games and MVP in the Korean league.”

The expected salary also exceeded what the Jaguars could offer, so unless there was a compelling reason, there was no reason for him not to choose to play in the United States.

Now, I moved on to the pages for Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju.

Unlike Donald Watson, who aimed to return to MLB, and Michael Scott, who wanted to challenge himself on a bigger stage, Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju had a variety of options to consider.

It was necessary to carefully compare the offers from MLB teams as well as domestic teams, including the Buffaloes.

It was likely to be a long negotiation.

There was no reason to rush the decision since there was still plenty of time.

“It may not seem ideal right now, but since Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju are proceeding with free agency rather than being posted [a system where a team makes a player available to MLB teams for a fee], we will be able to achieve much better results.”

“I hope they can move forward with the best possible conditions.”

“Let’s do our best to help our players achieve good outcomes.”

Kim Sang-wook said with a smile.

“Now it’s finally starting.”

I felt my heart pounding in my ears as I realized that the MLB opportunity, which had seemed so distant, was now within reach.

* * *

I finished talking with Kim Sang-wook and returned to the agency’s accommodation.

I planned to talk to the players and hear their thoughts.

Ding-dong.

As I entered the accommodation, Sohn Young-joon, who was lying on the sofa watching TV, was the first to catch my eye.

“Oh, Representative, you’re here.”

Sohn Young-joon slowly got up when he saw me.

“Young-joon, are you alone? Where are the other players?”

“Ugh, I’m bored. They all went to train.”

Sohn Young-joon hugged the pillow he was holding and sighed.

“I told them to rest until today, but they went to train?”

If it were a normal season, they would have taken a comfortable rest for about a month, but this year, they had to participate in an international competition soon, so the rest period had to be shortened.

“They said they have to prepare to get a good contract this time.”

“Well, it’s a more important time than ever.”

“So, are all the guys going to America now?”

“I’m going to ask them what they think one last time. Their own opinion is the most important.”

“If they want to go, is it possible?”

“I think it’s likely to happen.”

“So, everyone’s leaving.”

Sohn Young-joon looked around the accommodation with sad eyes.

“Even if some of you go to America this time, there are still many players left. And it’s not like you’ll never see each other again.”

“Still, this place will feel empty. Our agency’s training center was always bustling with people.”

“Don’t worry about that. There will be many new players coming in the future, so it will continue to be bustling.”

After a while, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

Oh Seok-hoon, Park Seong-ju, Donald Watson, Michael Scott, and Choi Woo-jin were walking up after finishing their training.

“Representative, you’re here.”

Park Seong-ju, who saw me first, waved his hand happily.

“I thought we were going to start training tomorrow; why did you start so early?”

“We only did light physical training today. My body felt heavy after resting for a few days.”

Oh Seok-hoon replied with a bright expression.

“Everyone, let’s talk in the office. I have some things to tell you.”

“Oh, really? Is it about the contract?”

Park Seong-ju asked with wide eyes.

“Yes. I’m going to talk about the next steps we’re going to take.”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju’s eyes sparkled as I nodded.

“Wow, my boss. You’re amazing. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Scott also clapped his hands and couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Wow, are you guys really going to MLB?”

Choi Woo-jin, who was listening with his mouth open next to him, chimed in.

“It’s worth looking forward to. They’re the best players in our country.”

Choi Woo-jin turned his head and stared at Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju with his mouth still open after hearing my answer.

“Then take a shower and meet me in the office in 30 minutes.”

“I’m jealous. I want to talk with you too.”

Sohn Young-joon looked at the four players with longing eyes.

“Young-joon, it’s not far off for you either.”

“Okay. I’ll have to work hard in the meantime.”

With Sohn Young-joon’s words, the players went to wash off their sweat.

* * *

I went into the office with Oh Seok-hoon, Park Seong-ju, Donald Watson, Michael Scott, and Lee Joo-hyuk, who would be providing interpretation.

I sat down with the players and started talking.

“Negotiations will begin in earnest from now on. I’m going to explain the current situation.”

I took out the data and continued.

“First, let’s talk about Watson and Scott.”

Watson and Scott nodded and listened intently.

“Do you two still want to go to America? I want to hear your thoughts now.”

“Um… To be honest, I’ve grown fond of Korea, and I was happy here. But I want to try MLB again before it’s too late. It’s not easy to leave…”

Donald Watson carefully began.

“Okay. What do you think, Scott?”

“My boss, I’m really happy to be playing baseball with so much support since I came to Korea. In fact, if possible, I want to stay in Korea and play more.”

“Even if the salary could be more than 10 times higher if you go to America?”

“Ha… If it’s 10 times, I might think differently.”

Scott smiled awkwardly.

“Then I’ll tell you about the situation so far.”

I updated the two players on the MLB situation.

Watson and Scott listened to me more seriously than ever.

“The Jaguars will definitely make a re-signing offer. The performance you showed this season was great, so they’ll have no choice but to offer a higher amount than the salary you received now, right?”

If he re-signed, he would definitely become the highest-paid foreign player in history.

“But to be honest, the Korean professional baseball market can’t be compared to the size of MLB. There’s also the chance to challenge yourself on a bigger stage and earn a different level of salary. In any case, there’s no reason to refuse to go to America, right?”

“Hmm… If a good offer comes in, I’ll have no choice but to go.”

Scott replied with a face full of regret.

“I’ll do my best to get the best contract for both of you.”

Watson and Scott nodded at me simultaneously.

“Then let’s move on to Seok-hoon and Seong-ju’s story.”

I turned my head to Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju.