KIA has signed Choi Hyung-woo (41), its oldest non-FA multi-year contract ever. At the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on Monday, the Kia Tigers signed Choi for a multi-year contract worth 2.2 billion won, including 1+1 year plus 2 billion won in annual salary and 200 million won in option. The contract for 2025 will be automatically extended if the 2024 option is met.
During the past seven years of his two FA seasons with KIA, Choi has displayed outstanding performance as a troubleshooter in the team’s batting lineup. Last season, he played in 121 games, recording a batting average of 0.302, 17 homers, 81 RBIs, 64 runs and 130 hits, showing off his robustness despite his precarious age. He also set a new milestone by breaking the record for most RBIs and most doubles in history. 무료 슬롯
Choi Hyung-woo said, “I am grateful that the club first presented the good terms of a multi-year contract,” adding, “I will do my best with my teammates so that I can hear the shouts of autumn baseball in Gwangju. And I want to be remembered by Tigers fans as a player who has always been consistent without losing his initial intention until the last day of his career.”
“Choi Hyung-woo not only showed outstanding performances but also has always been an example to his fellow players as a clubhouse leader, so he tried to show respect to it,” said Shim Jae-hak, head of KIA. “I hope he will continue to have a good influence on his fellow players and play as a representative player of the KBO league.”
Choi’s relationship with Kia began in 2017. Choi, who was one of the biggest fish in the FA market in the winter of 2016, signed a four-year, large contract worth 10 billion won with Kia. It was the first contract worth 10 billion won as an official announcement. He led the team to a unified championship from the first year of his contract, and established himself as a troubleshooter. In the winter of 2020, when his contract period ended, he signed a three-year contract worth up to 4.7 billion won (3.75 million U.S. dollars) with Kia.
The 2023 season marks the end of the second FA contract, but Kia has the right to hold the contract. It is also possible to sign a one-year contract through salary negotiations. However, Kia has signed a “buy one, get one free” multi-year contract by respecting the value of Choi. At a time when retirement is in full swing, Choi and Kia have taken new steps as their values are still recognized.