[스포츠춘추]
KIA Tigers outfielder Koh Jong-wook gave up his right to apply for free agency. Ko Jong-wook, who did not apply for FA even though he is a ‘C grade’ that requires only compensation, is expected to continue his active life wearing a KIA uniform for one more year.
Among the players belonging to the KIA, there are three players who have acquired rights in the upcoming FA market. They are catcher Park Dong-won, outfielders Go Jong-wook and Na Ji-wan. Among these, Na Ji-wan has already decided to retire from active duty during the season and even held his retirement ceremony.
As a result of the Sports Chunchu coverage, Ko Jong-wook recently conveyed his intention to the club not to apply for free agency. On November 15, a KIA official said, “Ko Jong-wook decided not to apply for free agency. He will sign a general renewal contract for the player that is in our club plan for next season.”
Koh Jong-wook played in 62 games wearing a KIA uniform in the 2022 season and recorded a batting average of 0.283 / 30 hits / 2 home runs / 14 RBIs / 13 points. Jong-wook Ko played the role of a pinch hitter throughout the season.
Since it is a veteran left-handed pinch hitter resource with contact ability, it seems that there will be a role that Koh Jong-wook can play in the 2023 season KIA. It may be a better option for Koh Jong-wook to apply for free agency following showing a performance that raises his value a little more in the 2023 season.
Now, what KIA should focus on in the FA market is the catcher. Park Dong-won, who became the main catcher following the trade in the 2022 season, is known to have finally decided to go to the free agency market despite the club’s offer of a multi-year contract. Until recently, the KIA club presented conditions for a multi-year contract with higher conditions, but Park Dong-won’s side did not give a definite answer.
In the end, with the opening of the free agency market approaching, KIA is closely reviewing the scenario of breaking up with Park Dong-won. Not only Yang Eui-ji, who has become too expensive in the market, but also Yoo Gang-nam and Park Se-hyuk, who can be recruited relatively efficiently, are in an atmosphere that can be alternatives.
A KIA official said,From the middle of the season, Park Dong-won kept revising the terms of the multi-year contract. Until recently, the club put out the best conditions it thought, but unfortunately no conclusions were drawn. Applying for free agency is a natural right of a player. Even if Park Dong-won applies for FA qualification, we plan to continue the conversation. Of course, if things don’t go well with Park Dong-won, we are preparing the following scenarios.”he said.
