The Doosan Bears have successfully cracked down on internal free agency.
Yang Seok-hwan (34, Doosan Bears) and Doosan agreed to a contract in a second round of free agency negotiations on April 29.
It’s a 4+2 year deal totaling in the low 7 billion won range. The four years are guaranteed and the two years after 2028 are mutual options with both clubs having the right to terminate.
The total amount exceeds that of Ahn Chi-hong (4+2 years, 7.2 billion won), who signed with the Hanwha Eagles on April 20. This is the highest contract in the free agency market this season.
The negotiations were quick. Only two meetings. The signing was immediate.
Doosan declared before the negotiations that they would not overpay. As with their big free agent signings in recent years, they had no salary cap space, but the value they placed on Yang’s first four years and the amount of money he wanted “if he stays” was well within their negotiating range.
Other teams were also interested, including KIA.
Some teams were even willing to go over the salary cap. Yang Seok-hwan had communicated his desire to stay with Doosan as his “first priority.”
After the first meeting on the 27th, where the overall mood was not bad, negotiations were held two days later on the afternoon of the 29th. 먹튀검증토토사이트 The negotiations lasted well into the evening and were eventually finalized with a 4+2 year contract.
Doosan also needed Yang Seok-hwan.
Yang, who came to Doosan in a trade for pitcher Nam Ho in 2021, hit more than 20 home runs in three years. He hit 20 in 2022, an injury-plagued year, and is fifth in the league in home runs with 21 this season. He perfectly fills the void left by Oh’s departure at first base.
Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop said of the internal free agents, “Yang Seok-hwan is a hitter who can hit 20 home runs, and Hong Gun-hee has 20 saves. It’s not easy to find players like this,” he said, adding, “Both Yang Seok-hwan and Hong Gun-hee are trusted by their juniors and teammates. We need both of them.”
Lee, who is in his first year as head coach, had a successful season this season, leading the team to a fifth-place finish after finishing ninth last year. He entered the season with a goal of “at least third place” next year. Yang was indispensable in maintaining the cohesiveness of the batting lineup.
He was also recognized for his leadership within the team. He made a splash this season with his heart ceremony, and even handed a broken bat to a teammate after a cycling hit. A Doosan official said, “He can be seen as the next captain, and he leads the younger players well.”
The player showed affection, and the club responded with a quick contract. The trade bum became a Bearsman for life.