In the end, is there no ‘inaugural gift’ to be given to the ‘winning contractor’? 카지노사이트
Lotte is the team that has not won a championship in the KBO league for the longest period of time.
Lotte, which has continued its history since its first professional season in 1982 토토사이트
has never won a regular season championship, and its Korean Series championship stopped in 1992. It was a whopping 32 years ago.
Lotte, which had created a sensation by racing to the top until early June of last year
ended the regular season in 7th place and had a ‘dramatic season’ and took the gamble of replacing both general manager and coach.
In particular, the recruitment of coach Kim Tae-hyung, who can be called a ‘championship contractor’ 메이저사이트
was a testament to Lotte’s strong will. Coach Kim Tae-hyung was a master general who led Doosan to advance to the Korean Series for seven consecutive years and win the Korean Series three times.
Lotte pledged to make a new start by appointing coach Kim Tae-hyung. However, winter in Lotte is still quiet.
Rather, it contrasts with Lotte’s actions that heated up last winter. Lotte actively entered the free agent market after completing the 2022 season.
Lotte, which had suffered from a ‘catcher crisis’ for a long time
made a splash by signing Yoo Kang-nam for a four-year contract worth 8 billion won, and the shortstop position
which had been unable to find a successor after foreign shortstop Dixon Machado
was also resolved by signing Noh Jin-hyuk for a four-year contract worth 5 billion won.
In addition, by signing an all-weather pitcher Han Hyun-hee for a total of 4 billion won for 3+1 years
Lotte made a ‘wide-spread move’ by recruiting three external free agents for the first time since its founding.
The total amount invested in them amounted to 17 billion won.
The atmosphere is different this winter. There was no significant movement other than Lotte signing a four-year free agent contract with franchise star Jeon Jun-woo for a total of 4.7 billion won.
Captain’ Ahn Chi-hong also qualified as a free agent
but Lotte had no choice but to take a step back as Hanwha boldly bet a total of 7.2 billion won over 4+2 years.
Ahn Chi-hong is a player who played as a built-in second baseman for the four years he spent at Lotte.
Even if he added his power, it was not enough, and it actually became a minus.
Of course, this does not mean that Lotte did not move at all.
Lotte conducted a trade with LG to recruit veteran left-handed pitcher Jin Hae-soo and focused on increasing left-handed pitching depth by bringing in left-handed pitcher Lim Jun-seop
who was released from SSG. In addition, in the second draft
infield resources Oh Sun-jin and Choi Hang were designated to prepare for Ahn Chi-hong’s absence.
Foreign players also completed the lineup by retaining one-two punches Aaron Wilkerson and Charlie Barnes and bringing in a new foreign hitter, Victor Reyes.
However, the ‘FA gift’ to give to the ‘winning contractor’ was never prepared.
Lotte has virtually withdrawn from the free agent market. Once the future of Jeon Jun-woo and Ahn Chi-hong was decided
a Lotte official said, “It should be seen that there are no plans to recruit additional free agents.
However, it was not possible to make reckless investments. Lotte had to prepare for this and consider the salary cap because Koo Seung-min and Kim Won-joong, key resources of the bullpen pitcher
will both obtain free agency qualifications after the 2024 season.
In addition, unlike the past free agent market, there are many points out that there are relatively few attractive big-time players in this free agent market.
Should Lotte this year bet its fate on the leadership of a master craftsman?
In addition to upgrading power through internal competition, it is essential for the ‘FA trio’ recruited ahead of last season to exert themselves.
Coach Kim Tae-hyung is the person who led the team to the top even during his Doosan days
while watching many leading players such as Kim Hyun-soo, Yang Eui-ji, Min Byung-hun, Lee Won-seok, Oh Jae-il, Choi Joo-hwan, Park Geon-woo, and Lee Yong-chan leave as free agents.
Attention is being paid to whether the potential of ‘Kim Tae-hyung-ho’
who somehow overcame the crisis despite being put on the test every year, will be displayed at Lotte as well.