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| Second semi-PO match between SSG and Samsung held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 11th. Manager Lee Sung-yong, who won with a walk-off home run by SSG Kim Sung-wook with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, is delighted. Incheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.11/ |
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[Kagoshima (Japan) = Sports Chosun reporter Na Yu-ri] Since the foundation of SSG Landers, which acquired the SK Wyverns, there has been only one case of recruiting external FA.
Ahead of the 2021 season, shortly after the acquisition, infielder Choi Joo-hwan, who was released as an FA from the Doosan Bears at the time, was recruited for up to 4.2 billion won for four years. Second base was a decision considering the disappointing team situation, and it was a gift for reinforcing power for new coach Kim Won-hyung, who took office that year. In fact, it is a little closer to seeing it as the last legacy of SK.
Since then, there has been no outside recruitment. SSG is more 'generous' to internal FA players. Major players with important positions in the team move quickly under the philosophy of never missing out, and as a result, they naturally focus on internal crackdowns.
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| The second round of semi-PO between Samsung and SSG held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 11th. Kim Sung-yoon at bat with two outs and a runner on first base in the top of the seventh inning. Noh Kyung-eun, who blocked first baseman Hong Hyun-bin from stealing second base, is raising her thumb toward catcher Lee Hyung-woo. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.10.11/ |
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That's the case with the actual contract. Last year, veteran pitcher Noh Kyung-eun and Choi Jung-eun completed an internal crackdown on the condition of guaranteeing up to 2.5 billion won for 2+1 years and 11 billion won for four years. Kim Kwang-hyun, who was even about to end the contract period, has moved quickly for up to 3.6 billion won for two years during this season to end the contract.
It is a team that takes early steps to crack down on the internal affairs and organizes them, but it is also true that they continue to be thirsty for reinforcing their power. Since the appointment of director Lee Sung-yong, SSG has been using the expression 'remodeling' not rebuilding, and is working to strengthen its team depth with internal development through communication between the first and second groups and a strategy that naturally follows the results. Manager Lee renewed his contract even before the end of this season because he did well in managing the club's direction, even if he did not win right away.
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| 3rd semi-PO match between Samsung and SSG at Daegu Lions Park on the 13th. SSG Choi Jung cheers after scoring. Daegu = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.13/ |
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However, SSG, which caused a stir enough to rank third in the regular season this year, can also show enough interest in reinforcing external power. Considering that it is possible to advance to the postseason at least next season, it can be a plus alpha if it succeeds in reinforcing one or two external FA.
SSG was not even interested in Park Chan-ho, who had several teams. This is because Park Sung-han, the main shortstop, exists. The recruitment of Kang Baek-ho, who is considered another 'biggest fish', is also not very interested. Considering the defensive position, expected ransom, and various combinations, even if Kang Baek-ho remains in Korea, not a U.S. challenge, the possibility of SSG jumping in seems extremely slim.
However, it is not that they are not interested in recruiting FA. SSG is also checking the possibility of recruiting among the players currently on the market by tapping the calculator. Both pitchers and fielders can be targeted. There is ample room for reinforcement in the power configuration.
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| The second round of semi-PO between Samsung and SSG held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 11th. Cho Byung-hyun, who took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, is pitching. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.10.11/ |
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Although the league's strongest bullpen has been set up this year, there is no definite answer that the bullpen pitchers will unconditionally perform as well as this year's next season, and there are also question marks about fostering domestic starters. The same goes for the lineup, which has been weak all season. One of the reasons why Kang Baek-ho cannot be brought in realistically is that there are several players who can only make a seat by alternating between promising players or designated hitters who should give them a chance in the team. However, if there is a batter who can reliably upgrade the quality of the lineup, it is never bad to win by recruiting outside players.
On top of that, SSG's center fielder Jihoon Choi next year and shortstop Park Sung-han next year are scheduled to qualify as the first FA in his life. There are already rumors that other teams are showing interest, and the key task at hand is how SSG can plan its strategy against them and bring in external FA.
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| 3rd semi-PO match between Samsung and SSG held at Daegu Lions Park on the 13th. SSG Jihoon Choi is cheering after hitting a timely hit in the top of the fourth inning with two outs and runners on second base. Daegu = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.13/ |
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SSG club officials also do not completely deny the possibility of recruiting external FA. However, the key is the ransom. In fact, this year and next year's FA market will not be solved. Even though Park Chan-ho, who was considered the "biggest fish", signed a four-year, 8 billion contract with the Doosan Bears, and the rest of the players may not be easy to sign a 10 billion contract, some FA have already complained that their ransom is overheated. As SSG is also wary of 'Overpay', the key is how to negotiate with players of interest.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
