Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 278

278. The Challenge Towards a Dream (4)

The interest in Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju was even greater than expected.

Not only the Buffaloes and Jaguars, but almost all clubs showed interest.

While negotiating the salaries of other players, they naturally expressed interest in the two players.

Among them, the Wolves and Dragons made quite substantial offers.

Since Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju were still primarily considering playing overseas, they only listened to the offers and didn’t give any specific answers.

At the same time, I quietly leaked information to Lee Soo-min and asked for an article.

This was less of a message to domestic clubs and more of an attempt to pressure Major League clubs to speed up negotiations.

└But aren’t they going to the Major League anyway? I don’t think there’s any reason to consider a domestic offer if a Major League offer comes in.

└You never know. Maybe they just don’t like the Major League offer and decide to stay in Korea.

└Wouldn’t other clubs be able to probe then?

└Definitely. If you sign them, the strength of the core batting lineup changes immediately.

└Teams with solid starting right fielders and third basemen might be a little disappointed. If the positions overlap, it’ll just be a headache.

└The lesson we’ve learned from the free agency [FA] market so far is that you have to sign S-class players who become available no matter what. You can worry about position overlaps after you’ve signed the contract.

└The Jaguars should also try. Watson will be leaving next year, so even if they sign just one of Oh Seok-hoon or Park Seong-ju, they can maintain their strength.

└If you put them at 3rd or 5th in the batting order after 4th hitter Han Gyo-jin, the power of the core batting lineup will remain the same.

└If there’s even a slight chance, you should bring in as much money as possible and make an offer, even if you can’t sign players for the next few years.

└What’s certain is that the moment they say they’ll stay in Korea, they’ll definitely command the highest price.

* * *

Whether it was the effect of the article or not, Major League clubs seemed more active than before.

At the same time, reporters with connections in the United States began to release numerous articles based on their reporting.

It was surprising how accurate they were about which club offered what conditions.

First, I sat down with Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju to summarize the information so far.

“Senior, there have been a lot of articles lately. What’s going on?”

Park Seong-ju blurted out his curiosity before he even sat down.

“I was just about to tell you about that. The Major League side is also making concrete offers little by little.”

I placed the data in front of Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju respectively.

“Wow, does that mean the Major League clubs are really offering contracts?”

Park Seong-ju’s eyes widened as he busily flipped through the data.

“But as I said last time, there are still no clubs that have offered to guarantee a 25-man roster spot.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Oh Seok-hoon replied with a disappointed expression.

“The situation may change as other players’ contracts are settled, so the situation may change if we negotiate further.”

“It’s really difficult to go to the Major League without a guarantee of being on the major league roster [25-man roster]. Even though I was a batting champion and a home run king in Korea, they don’t easily give it to me.”

Park Seong-ju said, rummaging through the data in front of him.

“I guess they haven’t seen you play in the United States yet. They want to minimize any potential risks.”

“Then how can we show them? We can really do well.”

Park Seong-ju put down the data and asked, folding his arms.

“Wouldn’t it be different if we do well in this tournament?”

Oh Seok-hoon looked back and forth between me and Park Seong-ju and said.

“That’s the best thing to do right now. If you can clearly show that you are competitive even against foreign players, the situation will change completely.”

There was also a way to fly to the United States and hold a showcase in front of Major League officials, but showing a good performance in an international competition was a more certain way.

“We need to prepare well for this tournament. This makes me even more motivated.”

Oh Seok-hoon nodded, clenching his eyes.

“And there are many offers from domestic clubs. Even though going to the Major League is the top priority right now, I thought I should tell you what kind of offers have come in, so I included them. You’ll find the details if you turn the page.”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju, upon hearing my words, turned the data to the page of domestic clubs.

I told them one by one about the offers from domestic clubs.

As expected, the club they were most interested in was the Buffaloes.

“15.5 billion won…?”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju couldn’t close their mouths.

“It includes an option of 5 billion won, but the conditions are not very strict at the minimum safety level. You’ll probably be able to receive it without any problems unless you’re out for a long time.”

“Isn’t 15.5 billion won the highest amount ever?”

Oh Seok-hoon asked, recalling his memory.

“Na Jun-ho held the record with 15 billion won, but this surpasses that.”

“Wow…”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju opened their mouths again.

“Besides, the contract period is 4 years. If you convert it to a 1-year basis, it’s a much larger amount.”

“Ooh.”

“And since you’ll be in your mid-30s after 4 years, there’s a high chance you’ll be able to get another good contract.”

“How about a long-term contract like Na Jun-ho? If we can sign a long-term contract, I think we can focus on baseball more comfortably.”

Park Seong-ju put down the data and asked me.

“We can definitely suggest that. We have complete control in the market right now.”

“If that happens, it would be really nice. There’s no reason why we can’t play baseball without any burden for the rest of our careers.”

Park Seong-ju looked at me and Oh Seok-hoon with sparkling eyes.

“So, Seong-ju, are you thinking of staying in Korea?”

“I want to try to go to the Major League, but you never know what might happen.”

“Well, there’s no need to close off any possibilities. That’s why I listened to the domestic club’s offer.”

As soon as my answer was over, Oh Seok-hoon asked a question.

“Senior, is there still a possibility that the Major League offer will improve in the future? If I can get a Major League guarantee, I think it’s okay even if the salary is a little lower right now.”

Oh Seok-hoon’s expression was full of worry.

“Of course, there’s still plenty of time left, so it’s definitely possible.”

Only after hearing my words did a faint smile appear on Oh Seok-hoon’s face.

“Don’t worry too much and wait comfortably. I’ll help you get a contract you like no matter what.”

That’s how I finished the meeting with Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-ju.

* * *

As time went by, contract news began to surface in the Major League free agent market.

I heard news of ultra-high-value contracts exceeding not only 200 million dollars but also 300 million dollars in total.

As the players who were considered the biggest free agents found their teams, the contract negotiations began to pick up speed.

And Kim Sang-wook of Sky Corporation delivered important news.

As expected, concrete offers related to Donald Watson came in first.

The salary levels and conditions offered by the ten clubs were not very different.

However, there were slight differences depending on the contract period, options, and the characteristics of the club.

I immediately called Watson and sat down with him.

“Watson, the reason I called you so suddenly is that it’s time for you to make a decision.”

“Oh, finally.”

Expectation was evident in Watson’s expression.

“A total of ten clubs have sent official offers.”

I handed Watson the summarized data and continued.

“Among them, there are three clubs that have agreed to guarantee a spot on the Major League 25-man roster.”

“Oho.”

“Other clubs are basically guaranteeing up to a 40-man roster spot, so if you like other conditions better, you can choose that.”

“Is Arizona also there?”

Watson expressed his delight as soon as he turned the first page.

“They’re probably the club that watched you with the most interest. You lived in Arizona, Watson, right?”

“That’s right.”

“It would have been nice if Arizona had made the best offer. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

It was one of the clubs that guaranteed a Major League contract, but while other clubs offered a 3-year contract, Arizona offered a 2+1 year contract.

“I don’t think I would have hesitated much if that had happened.”

“It depends on what Watson thinks is the most important. None of the current offers are clearly good enough to be a clear winner.”

“Um…”

Watson carefully read the data he received.

“It’s not easy to choose, is it?”

“I’m happy that there are more clubs than I thought, but it’s difficult to choose.”

Watson said with a faint smile.

“That means Watson is that competitive.”

“Which club would you recommend, CEO?”

“Right now, wouldn’t it be better for Watson to have a contract period that is a little longer? It’s been 3 years since you returned to the Major League stage. It would be good to have an environment where you can have as much time as possible to adapt.”

“That’s true.”

Watson nodded and replied.

Then, he carefully looked at me and opened his mouth.

“I have no choice but to leave the Korean stage, right?”

“They guarantee Major League appearances, and the salary is on a different level. To be honest, there’s no reason to consider staying in Korea.”

I shook my head firmly.

“That’s right. But I can’t help but feel sad when I’m about to leave.”

“Come to Korea for fun when the season is over. The agency will be preparing a lot of events to meet fans in the winter after the season.”

“I have to attend such opportunities whenever possible.”

“So, make a decision that will really bring the best results for Watson, so that you don’t regret it for the rest of your career.”

Watson nodded at my words and continued the conversation.

“It’s not a problem that I can decide on my own. Can I consult with my family and then give you my answer?”

“Of course. Feel free to discuss it. It’s not like you have to sign right away.”

As soon as Watson finished the meeting, he immediately met with his family and shared his story.

The next evening, Watson came to me and told me what he had decided.

I immediately conveyed my opinion to Kim Sang-wook of Sky Corporation and also talked about some detailed clauses I wanted to add.

It wasn’t a part that would significantly affect the contract, so the process of exchanging opinions and coordinating several times was not difficult.

And finally, Watson’s contract proceeded.