Director, I'm sorry Choi Hyung-woo's phone call, player Lee Bum-ho, who gave him two wins, spent it with a smile
Dec 03, 2025
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Choi Hyung-woo agreed to an FA contract with the Samsung Lions and called KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho. The first thing I felt sorry about was leaving the team I've been with for the past nine years. However, he said he is not worried about KIA. Even without him, coach Lee and the rest of his colleagues left believing that they would be able to challenge for the top again.
Samsung announced on the 3rd that it signed a two-year contract with Choi Hyung-woo for a total of 2.6 billion won. The incentives were included, but it did not say how much was guaranteed.
Kia is known to have not lagged behind Samsung in terms of total amount. Industry officials were rather surprised to see Samsung's total amount. However, KIA seems to have failed to persuade Choi Hyung-woo in terms of contract period and guaranteed amount.
Choi Hyung-woo has been the undisputed No. 4 hitter for KIA for the past nine years. Choi Hyung-woo became the first FA after the 2016 season and signed a four-year, 10 billion won contract with KIA. KIA and Choi Hyung-woo opened the era of 10 billion won in FA together. Ahead of the 2021 season, he was re-qualified as an FA and agreed to a three-year total of 4.7 billion won with KIA, and in January last year, he signed a non-FA multi-year contract of 2.2 billion won for 1+1 year. KIA invested 16.9 billion won over nine years.
His career performance for nine seasons at Kia is also spectacular. He had a batting average of 0.306 (1,277 hits in 4,172 at-bats), 185 home runs, 826 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.909 in 1,167 games. It showed a value of more than 16.9 billion won.
Director Lee Bum-ho laughed as he opened his mouth saying, "(Choi) Hyung-woo said he doesn't worry about me."
Director Lee went on to say, `I'm sorry this happened. The coach always thinks positively and says he doesn't worry because he will go through well even if the team changes. I was in a team for about 15 to 16 years at KIA, and you were in a team for 9 years. I've been through a lot so far, and I hope I can go and do well in a good team. Isn't that right. Choi Hyung-woo is the player who made us win twice by giving us the best performance for nine years. Thank you. We don't have a brother-in-law, but I think we need to prepare well to make another good team" he said.
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Manager Lee said, "We have to think about how to fill the vacancy of the fourth batter from now on. I'm going to use (Kim) Sun-bin and (B) Sung-bum as designated hitters when Hyung-woo left. (Yoon) Do-hyun, and if there are good players in the outfield, I think they should actively write it. I think it would be best to have one player who stands out in the spring camp, but if not, we'll have to wait and see how it goes."
Considering KIA's stove league stance, it does not seem easy to recruit outside. Now only internal FA Yang Hyun-jong and Cho Sang-woo remain, but for now, they are all-in on staying in Yang Hyun-jong.
Director Lee "Because there's no brother-in-law. Now Sun-bin, Sung-beom and (Kim) Tae-gun seem to have to cheer up players of their age. If (Yang) Hyun-jong signs a contract, Hyun-jong will hold the pitcher. We have to unite and move as a team again."
Since manager Lee took the helm, KIA has continued its stingy move in the FA market. The desire to strengthen power is useless, and it is fortunate if it does not go negative.
Nevertheless, director Lee said, `I think it is up to the coach to set up his power accordingly if there is no such thing. I'll prepare well. If young players grow up well, there may be another fun"He said he would diligently continue his plan for the next season.
After signing the contract with Samsung, Choi Hyung-woo told KIA fans "We've been together for a long time, so I'm so sorry and thank you." For nine years in Gwangju, fans have always taken care of and worried about not only me but also my family, so I don't think I can forget that feeling. I'm thankful to all my family and I'll always live with those memories" he said.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
