In the fall of last year, when negotiations for a non-FA multi-year contract with Park Dong-won (LG) were not feasible, KIA sought a catcher trade with Samsung. Although general manager Jang Jeong-seok and coach Kim Jong-guk had slightly different views on the card, it was not a big problem. As a result, Samsung’s eye level was too high, so it gave up.
In fact, this winter, the two teams reportedly won’t talk about a catcher trade again. For Samsung, there is no reason to lower your eyes even if your trade partner is any team other than KIA. There are two main catchers (Kang Min-ho, Kim Tae-goon) and one top-notch prospect (Kim Jae-seong). For Samsung, it’s okay to do or not to do it.
In fact, Samsung is known to be very satisfied with the three-man catcher 메이저사이트 system, which has little gap between the starting pitcher and the backup. Kang Min-ho’s will to revive is full, Kim Tae-gun is alive and well, and Kim Jae-seong has unlimited growth potential. While properly utilizing the designated hitter, there is no reason to break this system, considering the injury issue and the decline in the graph due to Kang Min-ho’s age.
Spring camp starts in February. The 10 clubs will train and prepare for the season according to the planned scenario, but it will never work out as planned. If you change your mind and revise your plan, a team that proposes a catcher trade to Samsung can come out at any time, even if it is not necessarily KIA.
For Samsung, you can choose by looking at the cards presented by your opponent. You can easily enjoy the effect of strengthening internal solidarity while showing your intention not to give up the catcher system. Looking back on the past, Samsung has succeeded in coexisting with its main catchers.
Representative examples were Jin Gap-yong and Kim Dong-soo, and Jin Gap-yong and Lee Ji-young (Kiwoom). KIA head coach Jin Gap-yong joined OB in 1997 and played in a Samsung uniform in 1999 until 2015. He was the de facto Samsung franchise star. Coach Jin coexisted with SBS Sports commentator Kim Dong-soo, who had been involved for a while from 2000 to 2001. Coach Jin had a batting average of 0.273 with 8 homers and 59 RBIs in 114 games in 2000, and a batting average of 0.306 with 2 homers and 57 RBIs in 89 games in 2001. Commissioner Kim was also good with a batting average of 0.276, 5 homers and 30 RBIs in 89 games in 2001. Coach Jin pushed Commissioner Kim out and played as the starting pitcher, but neither was bad.
Coach Jin also coexisted with Lee Ji-young, who appeared in the first team in earnest from 2012. From 2013 to 2015, Lee Ji-young participated in 113 games, 99 games, and 124 games, recording batting averages of 0.239, 0.278, and 0.305. Coach Jin participated in 101 games in 2013 and recorded a batting average of 0.271, 6 home runs and 36 RBIs, but later gave Lee Ji-young the starter. There were a lot of small injuries in his last years of active service, but Lee Ji-young filled the gaps well and naturally rose to the starting lineup.
Samsung has no other reinforcements in the 2022-2023 offseason. So, it is necessary to make sure to save the advantage of being a ‘catcher kingdom’. Moreover, when Kim Tae-gun finishes this season, there is a variable that he will be eligible for free agency again after signing a 4-year, 1.3 billion won contract. For Samsung, it is right to respond carefully to a trade offer, unless it is a big card.