Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 40

What's Best for the Player (7)

What’s Best for the Player (7)

Before long, I received concrete offers from several Major League teams.

But no matter how I examined them, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

They were split contracts, offering different salaries depending on whether I was promoted to the Major League or played in the Minor League.

Moreover, the contract periods were short, only two or two-plus-one years, and didn’t include a guarantee that I would actually play in the Major League.

Because these were short-term contracts, it would be difficult to adjust to a new country and playing field. A significant disadvantage was that I’d have to forgo a long-term contract at the height of my career.

I could clearly sense that the Major League teams were hedging their bets in case I, Na Junho, got injured.

On the other hand, the Major League teams’ offers were definitely better than the domestic teams’ in one respect.

If I made it onto a Major League lineup and played games, I could earn a higher salary than in Korea.

However, because the contract periods were short, the total guaranteed amount was limited.

Therefore, unless Na Junho desperately wanted to challenge himself in the Major League, there was no compelling reason to accept those offers.

As he listened to the details of the Major League teams’ offers, disappointment gradually washed over Na Junho’s face.

When the explanations concluded, silence hung in the conference room for a moment.

Im Yeji cautiously broke the quiet.

“What do you think, Na Junho?”

“Um… It doesn’t seem like they think very highly of me.”

A bitter smile touched Na Junho’s lips.

“Rather than undervaluing you, Na Junho, I think the Major League teams want to minimize their risks as much as possible.”

“Yes…”

Even sugarcoating it didn’t seem to help.

“Is the domestic team’s offer still the same?”

“As of now, it’s still the same as what we discussed last time.”

“I see.”

Na Junho nodded and fell into thought.

Every baseball player dreams of playing in the Major League.

-The Major League team’s offer is not satisfactory, so I’m disappointed.

-It’s painful to have to give up the retired number for a good contract.

But no matter how strong that dream was, I couldn’t completely ignore reality.

Moreover, achieving my goals in the domestic league didn’t seem easy either.

So far, nothing had gone the way Na Junho wanted.

“I’ll think about the domestic offer a little more.”

“Take your time. There’s still plenty of time.”

Na Junho rose from his seat, unable to completely mask his disappointment.

“I’ll be going.”

“Please contact me anytime if you need anything.”

Im Yeji and I saw Na Junho off as he left the office, then sat down again, facing each other in the conference room.

“It may take some time for Na Junho to make a final decision, but I think we can consider this contract to be in the final stages now.”

“Yes? Final stage?”

Na Junho didn’t seem to have made any decision at all yet.

“The Major League was a significant variable, but it’s been confirmed that it won’t affect our decision.”

“Ah…”

“Now, let’s focus on changing the option part of the Buffaloes’ offer to a guaranteed amount. The option of 3.5 billion won [approximately $2.7 million USD] seems too high.”

“Shouldn’t we talk to other teams more?”

“Realistically, there won’t be many teams that can afford a contract of Na Junho’s size this year. Considering that, I don’t think there’s a high possibility that other teams will intervene, and it’s unlikely that the Dragons will now offer a contract that increases the total amount by more than 3 billion won [approximately $2.3 million USD] from their existing offer.”

Im Yeji seemed determined to proceed with further negotiations with the Buffaloes, who had offered more money.

But there was still a variable she didn’t know about.

-I’m excited that the contract with Lee Sanghoon of the Jaguars, which I’ve been working on since the beginning of the negotiations, is imminent.

If things went as I confirmed with Angels’ general manager Jo Jaewon on the day of the awards ceremony, the FA [Free Agent] market would inevitably be shaken significantly.

“If another FA outfielder is transferred, won’t other teams make offers?”

“Is there any player in the current market who is comparable to Na Junho and has a chance of being transferred?”

Im Yeji tilted her head and asked.

“Lee Sanghoon of the Jaguars seems to be a worthwhile target for other teams.”

“Lee Sanghoon… I can’t say there’s no possibility of him being transferred, but is there any reason why the Jaguars wouldn’t want to keep a player like Lee Sanghoon?”

“There’s no reason not to keep him, but there’s a possibility that they won’t be able to.”

Im Yeji paused for a moment after hearing my words.

“How many fans would have expected this situation where Na Junho might leave the Dragons?”

“…Are you saying that if the Jaguars miss out on Lee Sanghoon, they might target Na Junho?”

“I think there’s a good chance. To fill the outfield that’s missing a key player, bringing in another key player is the most certain way.”

“Um…”

“That’s why I’m saying this, but I think it’s better to watch the market situation a little longer before making a decision right away. We might be able to get better conditions than we have now.”

Im Yeji nodded slowly, as if agreeing with my words.

Sigh…

I managed to postpone the completion of the contract for a while.

But it was only a temporary reprieve.

I had to find a way to make the best deal.

* * *

“Hyunwoo? Hyunwoo!”

I snapped back to reality after hearing someone call my name.

“Oh, Sumin, you’re here?”

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah… I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

Lee Sumin was promoted not long after reporting exclusively on Choi Junghwan’s confession of match-fixing.

Moreover, she was gradually making a name for herself among baseball fans.

After a while, we ate the food we ordered and continued our conversation.

“But how is Na Junho’s contract going?”

“We’re still talking about it. It’s not a situation where we can make a decision right away.”

“Is the Major League offer good?”

“I wish it was, but unfortunately, it’s not.”

“Then… the other party you’re talking to is a domestic team?”

“Huh?”

I wasn’t trying to hide it, but I didn’t expect her to infer it so easily.

“What you said at the awards ceremony last time wasn’t just a slip of the tongue?”

“Hahaha… It’s not entirely untrue.”

“Can you tell me which other team you’re negotiating with? I’ll keep it a secret.”

Lee Sumin looked at me and asked carefully.

“Um… but it’s off the record for now.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Lee Sumin nodded vigorously with a slight smile on her face.

I leaned closer to Lee Sumin and said in a low voice so that people around us wouldn’t hear.

“Buffaloes.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. They’re being more aggressive than I thought.”

“That’s unexpected.”

Lee Sumin’s eyes widened, and she tilted her head.

“What’s unexpected about it?”

“I expected that if Na Junho was considering a team other than the Dragons, it would be the Jaguars.”

“Ah… the Jaguars.”

The Jaguars’ home was the city where Na Junho spent his childhood until he joined the pros.

From that perspective, transferring to the Jaguars wouldn’t be a bad move either.

If Lee Sanghoon’s transfer to the Angels is confirmed, the Jaguars will definitely be more active in recruiting Na Junho.

“Well, the Jaguars will have to spend a lot of money to keep Lee Sanghoon, so it would be too much to recruit Na Junho as well, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“Could something completely unexpected happen this time too? Unexpected things happen in the transfer market.”

“But that’s not the case most of the time.”

I ate my food as if nothing was wrong.

“Then it’s almost certain that you’ll stay with the Dragons, right? Na Junho won’t go to another team, right?”

“Of course. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Your expression says there’s something going on?”

Lee Sumin looked at me with an intrigued expression.

I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, congratulations on your promotion. How is it after being promoted?”

* * *

Since the season was over and I didn’t have to go to the stadium, I’d been going to the agency office every day.

I felt restless working only in the office, but I was gradually appreciating the good aspects of it.

As usual, I was about to sit down at my desk when Kim Minhwan approached me urgently.

“Hyunwoo, go to the CEO’s office right now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard it’s about Na Junho.”

Kim Minhwan said, glancing around nervously.

“Is there something wrong with Na Junho?”

“I don’t know exactly.”

I jumped up and ran to the CEO’s office.

When I opened the door and went inside, Im Yeji was on a phone call.

Im Yeji saw me come in and gestured for me to sit down.

She hung up the phone with a serious expression, probably because the call hadn’t connected, and approached the conference table.

“Hyunwoo, have you been in contact with Na Junho?”

“Contact? I haven’t contacted him separately since the meeting the day before yesterday.”

Im Yeji heard my words and tapped the desk several times with her finger.

“I can’t get in touch with Na Junho.”

“Maybe something came up for a while?”

It wasn’t unusual for players to take personal time during the preseason.

“His phone has been turned off since yesterday.”

“His phone is turned off?”

Then the situation changed.

“I think he would have told me if something happened…”

“Why don’t you go and see him in person, Hyunwoo?”

“Should I…?”

“In the meantime, I’ll ask around.”

“Okay.”

I nodded, trying not to show any reaction.

In fact, I felt more comfortable working outside.

I guess it’s better to think of it that way.

Perfect Agent [EN]

Perfect Agent [EN]

퍼펙트 에이전트
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] From the ashes of a shattered baseball dream, a new legend rises! Kang Hyun-woo, once a promising player, is sidelined by a career-ending trauma. But fate has a twist in store. An extraordinary ability is awakened within him, granting him a second chance in a world he thought he'd left behind. Witness the birth of the Perfect Agent, as Kang Hyun-woo navigates the cutthroat world of sports, proving that even in defeat, victory can be found in the most unexpected places. Get ready for a thrilling journey of resilience, strategy, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness!

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