The surprise beast could be the biggest free agent signing. His choice will make the market go wild.
The postseason free agency market is likely to be dominated by pitchers. In particular, bullpen pitchers such as Kim Won-joong, Jang Hyun-sik, and Lee Yong-chan are close to qualifying. When it comes to hitters, Choi Jung-jeong’s name stands out. Choi is the KBO’s career home run record holder and is a “one-club man” with SK Wyverns-SSG. The clubs are having a lot of trouble with Choi’s contract, and he’s envisioning himself retiring with the team he’s been playing for.
While NC Dinos outfielder Kim Sung-wook could be a ‘blue chip’ player, there is another potential big fish. That would be Doosan Bears third baseman Heo Kyung-min.
He became a free agent for the first time in his career after the 2020 season, and after a fierce bidding war, he stayed with Doosan, signing a 4+3-year deal worth up to 8.5 billion won. He may be overlooked when categorizing him as a prospective free agent because he signed a long-term deal with Doosan, but he does have options. The first four years of his contract with Doosan are up this year. When Heo signed his contract, he received 2.5 billion won in signing bonus and 4 billion won in salary in the first four years, with 6.5 billion won in guaranteed money.
The ‘+3 year’ was an unconventional ‘player option’.
This is a contract where the player can choose whether or not to extend the contract. If Heo opted for the +3 year option, he would receive 2 billion won from Doosan for three years.
After four years, he can declare himself a free agent. In that case, 실시간 바카라사이트 he’ll be back on the market.
While Heo hasn’t made a specific statement about his free agency as we’re still in the middle of the season, the latest “market price” suggests that he could receive more than 3 years and 2 billion won in guaranteed money.
Last year’s free agency market was flooded with infielders, with 1-2 hitter Ahn Chi-hong joining the Hanwha Eagles from the Lotte Giants for a 4+2-year, 7.2 billion won “jackpot,” and teammate first baseman Yang Seok-hwan signing a 4+2-year, 7.8 billion won deal. Given that another veteran infielder, Jeon Jun-woo, signed a 4+4-year, 4.7 billion won deal, and Kia Tigers second baseman Kim Sun-bin signed a 3-year, 3 billion won deal, there’s a good chance that Heo could also choose to declare free agency.
In particular, Heo’s performance this year is the best of his four seasons since signing a free agent contract. In 70 games through March 3, he is batting .883 with five home runs, 38 RBIs, and an OPS of .251 (87-for-251). Born in 1990, he’s just entering his mid-30s, but he’s still worth a look compared to the price tag of other 30-something infielders who have recently hit free agency.
Will Heo Kyung-min, the ‘glasses-wearing third baseman’, be the next big name in the free agency market?