"I've delivered the final amount" SSG Choi Jung multi-year contract, the choice is now for the player...More than 10 billion won
"I've delivered the final amount" SSG Choi Jung multi-year contract, the choice is now for the player...More than 10 billion won
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The negotiations between SSG Landers and veteran infielder Choi Jeong (37) have reached the final stage. SSG has delivered its final offer to Choi. The total amount reportedly exceeds 10 billion won (approx.스포츠토토
Choi started his professional career by wearing the SK Wyverns uniform through the first rookie nomination in 2005. Immediately upon his debut in the first division in 2005, Choi began his career as a "boy" by hitting double-digit home runs for the first time in 2006.
Choi Jeong, who led SK in the late 2000s, continued to display stellar performances until 2014 and has grown into a key player in the team. Ahead of the 2015 season, Choi acquired his first free agent right as an individual, and stamped his seal for a total of 8.6 billion won (8.6 billion U.S. dollars) for four years, making him an iconic player in Incheon.
Even after signing an FA contract, Choi continued to show good performance. He hit 40 home runs in 2016 to win his first career home run title, and in 2017, he also hit 46 home runs to rank No. 1 overall in the league.
Choi signed an FA contract with SK after the end of 2018. This time, the deal has become bigger than in the first contract. Choi even said he would retire from Incheon while staying at a total of 10.6 billion won (approx. However, Choi did not retire under a six-year contract. He continued to display long hit power once again, demonstrating his true value as a veteran.
With the 2024 season coming to an end, Choi is set to sign his third FA contract. SSG's top priority is to sign a multi-year contract before the end of this year's Korean Series (KS, best-of-seven series) in order to keep Choi, the team's iconic player.
"Choi Jeong is an essential player for our team. We have been talking with the players and have offered specific amounts," SSG General Manager Kim Jae-hyun said in a phone interview with Sports Dong-A.
"The club has delivered the final offer amount. The total amount is over 10 billion won as it is known. We are now waiting," he said.
When asked if the final offer was different from the first offer, Kim replied, "Of course. I think it has gone up a lot." He added, "We did our best. I just hope there will be good results."
Meanwhile, Kim is also taking care of his contract with veteran pitcher Noh Kyung-eun (40). "We are in a very busy situation. Noh displayed the best performance this year in our team, and he set an example for younger players as well. I hope he will be with us next year."