Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 43

The journey to meet the Dragons’ general manager was as arduous as expected.

Even though I left home before sunrise, it seemed I wouldn’t arrive until lunchtime.

From my window seat, I watched the scenery blur past.

So many things had happened in just a few days since I took on my first free agent negotiation.

When I first started the FA [Free Agent] negotiations, I naturally assumed that I would smoothly conclude negotiations with the Dragons and sign a contract.

But other teams came up with surprisingly attractive offers.

Moreover, even Major League teams were keeping an eye on him.

In the meantime, Jaguar’s franchise player Lee Sang-hoon transferred to the Angels for ₩10 billion [approximately $7.5 million USD] over four years, huge news that shook the FA market.

Thanks to that, Na Jun-ho was able to enjoy the benefit of his market value increasing more than it had in the early stages of negotiations.

Although only a few days had passed between the first negotiation with the Dragons and today’s second negotiation, the situation had completely changed.

Isn’t it said that professionals speak with money?

If he received a lower annual salary than Lee Sang-hoon, who played a similar position, it would be the same as admitting that his value as a player was lower.

If I couldn’t create something significantly better in today’s negotiation, the option to remain would disappear.

To help him fulfill his dream of having his number retired while still being fully recognized for his value as a player, I had to achieve something in this negotiation.

Knowing that today might be the last chance made my palms sweat.

* * *

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Na Jun-ho must be a truly skilled player. Even when we’re just sitting still, there are so many rumors going around.”

“Well, he is a key player on the championship team.”

Despite the relaxed words, it was difficult to erase the anxiety in the general manager’s eyes.

After a brief greeting, the general manager and I sat facing each other.

“How are things with the Major League teams?”

“We’re in the process of coordinating. We’ve been getting so many offers from various places these days.”

“It seems like the Jaguars also made an offer in a hurry……”

“Let’s talk about the Dragons first. If the Dragons’ offer is good, there’s no need to consider offers from other teams.”

“Ah… That’s true.”

“What about the Dragons? It seems like you’ll have to spend a little more money than you initially planned.”

The general manager seemed flustered by my direct approach.

“Well… We’ve appealed to the parent company several times that we absolutely must keep Na Jun-ho. And they’ve agreed.”

That was a relief.

“We initially offered a signing bonus of ₩5.5 billion [approximately $4.1 million USD] and an annual salary of ₩1 billion [approximately $750,000 USD].”

“Yes, you did.”

“How about adding an option clause to that?”

Adding an option here?

Could it be that it’s difficult to adjust the signing bonus and annual salary any further?

Even if they added an option, the Jaguars’ guaranteed amount was ₩12 billion [approximately $9 million USD], so the difference with the Dragons’ ₩9.5 billion [approximately $7.1 million USD] was too great.

I remained silent for a moment.

An awkward silence filled the conference room.

“How are the contract negotiations with the other FA players going?”

“Well… as with all contracts, it takes time to coordinate.”

I suspected they were in a similar situation.

“Is the team’s salary cap very tight?”

“Excuse me? Why do you ask that?”

“Aren’t you worried about the team’s salary cap?”

“H, how did you know that?”

The general manager stuttered in response, seemingly too surprised.

“Isn’t it obvious? You won the championship this year, so it’s only natural that the salaries of the entire team would increase. Moreover, there will be a flood of players who meet the FA requirements next year, so the team can’t help but worry about the salary cap.”

The general manager sighed deeply and began to speak cautiously.

“Since you seem to know everything already, I’ll be honest.”

He seemed to have resigned himself to the situation.

“The team has been brainstorming various ideas to proceed with FA negotiations without exceeding the salary cap. But there are definitely limitations. We have some leeway until next year, but it will be tight from the year after that.”

“……”

“Which team would want to transfer its championship-winning members to other teams as soon as they win the championship? Each and every one of them is indispensable to our team.”

I met the general manager’s eyes and listened to what he had to say.

“Then, General Manager, how about we do this instead?”

I took out a proposal from my bag and handed it to the general manager.

“What is this?”

“I came up with an idea. If we do this, we can overcome the team’s salary cap issue without any problems.”

The general manager took the proposal and carefully read through it.

The more his eyes moved down the page, the more interest spread across the general manager’s face.

“Is it possible to do this?”

“Why not? I’ve searched the rule book thoroughly, and there’s no clause that says we can’t do it that way.”

Hearing my confident voice, a smile finally appeared on the general manager’s face.

This was the only way to maintain the amount that had to be spent each year while still sufficiently increasing the total amount.

“In return, you must maintain the option clauses we presented. That much is possible, right?”

In exchange for understanding the Dragons’ situation, I greatly lowered the difficulty of the option clauses.

It was at a level that could be easily achieved unless he suffered a long-term injury.

I couldn’t give up practicality.

“Would it be okay if I report to the team owner and get back to you? After all, it exceeds the total amount that was approved.”

“Of course. But I don’t think we can wait too long. Other teams are making a fuss right now.”

“Yes. I’ll report immediately and get back to you as quickly as possible.”

The general manager’s body was fidgeting as if he wanted to jump out right now.

I gave a relaxed smile and said one last word.

“I’m only saying this out of concern. But if you miss out on Na Jun-ho this time, it will be the same as the Dragons losing their history.”

* * *

As soon as I finished negotiating with the Dragons’ general manager, I returned to Seoul.

By the time I arrived at the office, it was already getting dark.

Lim Ye-ji and Na Jun-ho had already arrived and were waiting for me.

The meeting started as soon as I arrived.

Lim Ye-ji put down the two documents she had brought and opened her mouth.

“We’ve exchanged specific proposals with a total of three teams, and today we’ve completed renegotiations with the Buffaloes and the Dragons.”

“Were there any new offers from the Major League teams?”

Na Jun-ho’s eyes sparkled as if light was coming out of them.

“It’s the same as we discussed last time. There haven’t been any major changes from the beginning in terms of contract length, salary, or Major League promotion clauses.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

Na Jun-ho leaned back in his chair with a disappointed look.

“But there have been significant changes in the offers from domestic teams.”

Lim Ye-ji picked up the document on the far left and said.

I didn’t yet know what additional negotiations had taken place with the Buffaloes.

“First, the Jaguars are offering ₩13 billion [approximately $9.7 million USD] over four years, including an option of ₩1 billion [approximately $750,000 USD]. That’s a signing bonus of ₩4 billion [approximately $3 million USD] and an annual salary of ₩2 billion [approximately $1.5 million USD] each year.”

Na Jun-ho’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he was surprised to hear the specific amount.

“And the Buffaloes are offering ₩12 billion [approximately $9 million USD] over four years without any options. But the signing bonus is ₩6 billion [approximately $4.5 million USD] and the annual salary is ₩1.5 billion [approximately $1.1 million USD].”

The Jaguars’ total amount including the option was attractive, but the Buffaloes had the advantage of a large signing bonus that would be received immediately.

“The Buffaloes’ initial offer had a fairly high proportion of options, but they changed it all to guaranteed money through additional negotiations.”

Compared to the first negotiation, where the options were ₩3.5 billion [approximately $2.6 million USD], this was a huge achievement.

Moreover, it was remarkable that they increased the proportion of the signing bonus to as much as 50%.

“Although the proportion of the signing bonus is low, my personal opinion is that the Jaguars, who can receive an additional ₩1 billion [approximately $750,000 USD] in options, are a much better choice. It’s also the hometown team where Na Jun-ho spent his childhood.”

Na Jun-ho, who had been listening quietly to the explanation, slowly nodded his head.

Lim Ye-ji, having finished her explanation, pointed to me to continue.

“Is there anything special about the Dragons’ offer?”

There was no hint of anticipation in Lim Ye-ji’s gesture and voice.

Would that still be the case in a moment?

I took out the contract with the Dragons and placed it on the table.

“I proposed a slightly unusual contract to the Dragons.”

“An unusual contract?”

Lim Ye-ji and Na Jun-ho’s gazes turned to me at the same time.

I smiled and met each of their eyes.

“I wondered if the contract period had to be four years.”

“……?”

“Na Jun-ho is thirty-three years old this year. If he signs a four-year contract this time, it will end when he’s thirty-seven. Right?”

Compared to other players, Na Jun-ho had acquired FA [Free Agent] rights relatively late.

Compared to players who meet the FA requirements as early as their late 20s, he was definitely late.

“At that time, it will be almost impossible to get as good a contract as he can now. No matter how good his performance is, there won’t be any teams offering a large sum of money to a player who is close to retirement.”

Lim Ye-ji’s expression became serious as she listened with her arms crossed.

“So I thought that perhaps giving up the next FA contract might be a good idea.”

“Giving up FA, what do you mean?”

It was time to get to the point.

“It’s a six-year contract.”

Lim Ye-ji’s eyebrows twitched strongly.

“Can you sign a six-year contract?”

Na Jun-ho’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.

“It’s not written in the regulations that it’s not allowed, so if the player and the team agree, is there any problem?”

I had already received a reply that the Dragons’ team owner had approved it while I was coming up.

“What are the detailed conditions?”

Lim Ye-ji, who had regained her composure, asked calmly.

“A signing bonus of ₩4 billion [approximately $3 million USD]. An annual salary of ₩1.5 billion [approximately $1.1 million USD] with an option of ₩2 billion [approximately $1.5 million USD]. A total of ₩15 billion [approximately $11.2 million USD].”

“₩15…billion?”

“The options aren’t difficult either. They’re something you can all receive unless there’s a special problem.”

Once Na Jun-ho’s mouth was open, it wouldn’t close.

“And above all, you can practically play for the Dragons until the day you retire. If that happens, it’s not impossible to make Na Jun-ho’s number the Dragons’ first retired number.”

“Wow……”

Na Jun-ho exclaimed, unable to close his mouth.

“Okay, then. Shall we discuss which is the best option among the three teams?”

I placed the Dragons’ proposal on the table and looked back and forth between the two with a relaxed smile.