In a free agency market where contracts in the billions to millions of dollars are common, here’s a player who signed a $125 million contract with options. There are plenty of other players who have gotten better deals than that.
However, when you think back to last winter’s dizzying experience of being a free agent, both the player and the club can only be grateful to each other. NC right fielder Kwon Hee-dong, 33, has quietly done his job. In 42 games this season, he’s batting .271 with 36 hits in 133 at-bats, four home runs, 18 RBIs, and an OPS of .815.
Kwon is one of the few remaining members of the club’s rookie class. His average, clutch ability, and long balls aren’t anything spectacular, but he’s not far behind either. The same goes for his fielding and defense. He doesn’t really have any weaknesses. He has everything.
However, Kwon only played 55 games in 2021 and 82 games in 2022. He was one of the main protagonists of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then came free agency, and he was out of luck. Clubs weren’t interested in signing the out-of-form Kwon in the first place. They planned to build an outfield backup with Han Seok-hyun, a future free agent, Kim Sung-wook, who was returning from military service, and Jae-hwan, who had hitting potential.
However, as it turned out, it was Kwon Hee-dong who secured a spot in the NC outfield during a hot summer and a very important time in the standings. All of the outfield backups mentioned above were inconsistent. Kwon missed spring training, so he was bound to get his chance later than them, but when he did, he took advantage of it.
He signed a one-year, maximum $125 million contract as a free agent. Perhaps it should be said that he fulfilled his free agent ransom after 42 games. The 100 million won player caught Na Sung-beom (KIA) with a decisive bodhisattva on the 27th against Changwon KIA and hit a nutritious solo shot, so we can’t ask for more.
Maybe Kwon Hee-dong’s weapon to survive is sincerity. When I was covering the KIA game in Changwon on May 25-27, I was checking my delivery in the sun. It’s a kind of routine where you don’t hit the ball, but just get the timing right.카지노사이트
His legs are closely spaced, his shoulders are hunched, and his upper body is already forward. It looks like a simple ‘flick’, but when he’s in good shape, quality balls come out. He said after the game on the 27th, “It’s something I’ve changed a little bit since I was in the business. I set my upper body up.” There is virtually no gathering of power. Instead, he has the advantage of getting to the hitting point very quickly.
Kwon Hee-dong said, “I rested and trained well during the All-Star break. I hope I don’t cause any trouble for the team. The younger players are also working hard, so I have to do my best in every game.” He added, “I’ve forgotten about the past (the heartache of the free agency period). I have a lot of faith in my family. They always believe in me and support me. There’s a lot of season left. My job is to capitalize on my chances and bring in runners.”