Jung Hae-young's second-tier trip was more disastrous because there was no trade effect
Aug 18, 2025
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KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho made a difficult decision during the away game in Seoul. Ahead of the game against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium on the 17th, he sent closer Jung Hae-young down to the second division. In the middle of the series, it's a great decision to keep the closer out of the entry, even on the road. Currently, KIA is desperately fighting for fifth place. In fact, every game is a war. Even though it is on the rise, it falls back into a quagmire, and it seems to be on track out of the mud, but it falls again and again. However, it is a great decision and adventure to play without an unchanging closer who has kept the team's back door for years.
There is nothing special about Jung Hae-young's physical condition. However, it is read as a decision to strengthen the team's atmosphere. He is one of the best finishing pitchers in the league and a guardian who has built a solid career since his early 20s. Such Jung Hae-young has recently experienced an unexpected extreme slump. The speed limit, which was supposed to be formed in the late 140 kilometers, also dropped to the early 140 kilometers range. It's not just a second leg of relaxation. It is a kind of second-tier act of accountability, with a clear message that Jung Hae-young himself should also be responsible.
Jung Hae-young also needed time to reorganize. There is still time to make up, and KIA is very likely to play more important games in the future until the end of the regular season. But the problem is that there is no alternative.
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While the team was in a losing streak, Jeon Sang-hyun was able to fill the empty finishing spot. He is also the most reliable pitcher at this point in time. 5 max out count. But 1 lead was too much. Jeon Sang-hyun was in a bigger crisis when he allowed a double to Yang Eui-ji, the first batter he faced, and allowed a walk to pinch hitter Kim In-tae and a two-run timely hit to Cho, allowing four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning alone. I fell into a quagmire. In the end, KIA suffered a fatal injury of a 2-4 shock upset and a sweep of the weekend's three consecutive games.
Following the previous two games, the third game was also a come-from-behind loss in the bottom of the eighth inning. In fact, all three games were lost in the last inning. It was a series that showed the reality of how weak the KIA bullpen is now. Rather than simply the fault of one specific pitcher, it is the result of a lack of confidence overall as bad results are repeated. In this situation, even Jung Hae-young's absence seems to be especially bigger.
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It is not even seeing any trade effect. He even gave up first-team resources Choi Won-joon and Lee Woo-sung, bringing in bullpen pitchers Kim Si-hoon and Han Jae-seung of the NC Dinos, but he was just happy in the beginning. Kim Si-hoon, who lost his previous restraint, went down to the second division, and Han Jae-seung also has a fast ball, but his control is rarely caught. At this rate, KIA's trade profit and loss statement will be a cold loss. This is because the trade effect is not being seen.
KIA, which finally finished its long and difficult 12 consecutive away games, will play six consecutive games against Kiwoom and LG at its home in Gwangju from the 19th. Kiwoom, who is at the bottom, is not an easy opponent now, and LG is by far the strongest team. Director Lee Bum-ho, who is going through the most difficult period in his two years in office, how will he overcome this crisis. It is necessary to control the team's atmosphere that seems strangely shaken. Let go of the pressure to win unconditionally and start with realistic calculations.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
