Kim Tae-hyung’s ‘FA Inaugural Gift’ Ready? Huge reversal, no players to buy?
Jeon Jun-woo, Ahn Chi-hong base on gift? No players to buy?
Kim Tae-hyung-ho raises the anchor. Named the 21st manager of the Lotte Giants, Kim will begin his official duties as the head of Lotte with an inauguration ceremony on the 24th.
A new challenge for Kim. He built a dynasty with the Doosan Bears and rose to prominence. At Lotte, he will be put to the test. Lotte has become synonymous with “grain of sand” teams that spend money but don’t perform. We can’t wait to see how things will change under Kim.
First, Kim expressed his satisfaction with Lotte’s current roster. He worked as a head coach until last year and was a commentator for a year, and he watched both Lotte and other teams. He is able to make a sober assessment of the team. Kim acknowledged that reaching the postseason is a basic requirement, but it’s always good to have players. A coach’s most influential time is when he’s first hired. During the “honeymoon” period, clubs give their best support to managers. That’s why you often hear the phrase “FA inaugural gift”.
So, will Kim get one?
For now, protecting internal free agents comes first. For Lotte, franchise star Jeon Jun-woo and veteran Ahn Chi-hong will be eligible for free agency for the second time. I don’t know what Kim thinks, but given the current makeup of Lotte’s roster, these two should be categorized as essential resources. There are no replacements for Jeon Jun-woo, who batted .301 with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs in 138 games, and Ahn Chi-hong, who batted .292 with eight home runs and 63 RBIs in 121 games. 먹튀검증토토사이트 Lotte also has a young roster, with the exception of Jeong Hoon. A young and energetic team is good, but a veteran presence to anchor the team is essential.
There are variables. Jeon is in his late 30s. If he wants a big payday, negotiations could be tough. As for Ahn, his defensive radius at second base is getting smaller and smaller. He will have to play more and more games at first base. However, he doesn’t have the long bat to play first base.With these two as the basics, will Lotte give Kim an additional outside free agent gift?
This year’s free agency market is devoid of superstars. It’s hard to pick a player to call the biggest name.
Doosan’s center fielder Yang Seok-hwan is popular. He also has a relationship with coach Kim. However, if Yang Seok-hwan comes, Ahn Chi-hong becomes ambiguous. If they give up on Ahn, they should try to sign Yang Seok-hwan.
As for catchers, they spent 8 billion won to get Yoo Kang-nam last year, so there is no reason to be interested in Lee Ji-young (Kiwoom) or Kim Min-sik (SSG).
What remains is pitching. Kim Jae-yoon (KT), Lim Chan-kyu, Ham Deok-ju (LG), and Hong Gun-hee (Doosan) are worthy of investment, but KT already has Kim Won-joong. It’s unlikely that KT will let him go.
While Im Chan-kyu has been tremendous this season, there’s a question mark over whether he’s a game-changer for Kim. Lotte lacks a clear-cut closer outside of Koo Seung-min, so it’s possible they’ll turn to bullpen arms Ham Deok-ju and Hong Gun-hee.