Doosan blew 2 billion won? The KBO knew. Wrapped paper but C level → Kim Jae-hwan rule that avoided Article 172 of the Covenant, is it a move of God or a trick

Dec 01, 2025

Doosan blew 2 billion won? The KBO knew. Wrapped paper but C level → Kim Jae-hwan rule that avoided Article 172 of the Covenant, is it a move of God or a trick
In the game between Lotte and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 28th, Doosan's Kim Jae-hwan hit the first RBI double in the bottom of the first inning with two outs and runners on first base and is sharing his joy. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.09.28/



Doosan blew 2 billion won? The KBO knew. Wrapped paper but C level → Kim Jae-hwan rule that avoided Article 172 of the Covenant, is it a move of God or a trick
The game between Hanwha and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 25th, and Doosan's Kim Jae-hwan hits a three-run home run with one out and runners on the first and third bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.09.25/
Is it an exquisite god's move or a clever trick.

Kim Jae-hwan's opt-out has emerged as a hot potato in the stove league. He is a free agent (FA) and has activated a brilliant option to turn him into a free agent. The original Doosan Bears lost Kim Jae-hwan without receiving compensation and compensation players.

However, Doosan also agreed four years ago. Although it is a contract that neutralizes the FA compensation rules, it is clearly not a 'violation'. KBO also confirmed and approved the contract. The player applied an anomaly to the Major League-style opt-out. However, if the package spreads as a 'national option' in the future, the club will inevitably be troubled.




Doosan excluded Kim Jae-hwan from the list of players withheld in 2026. It's a release. Kim Jae-hwan can freely sign with all clubs except Doosan.

Kim Jae-hwan originally qualified as a B-grade FA. Kim Jae-hwan gave up his FA application. And this is how I became a free agent. Doosan couldn't get FA compensation.

The Baseball Covenant 'Compensation for Acquisition of FA under Article 172' for Grade B players shall be as follows.




'Money compensation equal to 100% of the annual salary and the transfer of player contracts for one other than 25 protected players (compensation players) as determined by the FA-acquired club or monetary compensation equal to 200% of the annual salary may be received from the FA-acquired club.'

Kim Jae-hwan's salary in 2025 is 1 billion won. Doosan lost one compensation player for 2 billion won or 1 billion won. At the same time, Kim Jae-hwan shook off the compensation shackles and significantly eased the transfer burden.

Doosan seems to have lost money unilaterally. But if you turn the clock back to the time of your 2021 contract, that's not the case either.




Doosan blew 2 billion won? The KBO knew. Wrapped paper but C level → Kim Jae-hwan rule that avoided Article 172 of the Covenant, is it a move of God or a trick
A game between the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium on the 30th. Doosan Bears' Kim Jae-hwan is catching his breath after hitting a hit. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.30/
Doosan blew 2 billion won? The KBO knew. Wrapped paper but C level → Kim Jae-hwan rule that avoided Article 172 of the Covenant, is it a move of God or a trick
The game between Hanwha and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 25th, and Doosan's Kim Jae-hwan hits a three-run home run with one out and runners on the first and third bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.09.25/
Doosan officially announced on December 17, 2021, that it signed Kim Jae-hwan for a four-year contract of up to 11.5 billion won. There was an unknown option. 'After the end of the four-year contract, negotiations with the club will be held first after the 2025 season and if an agreement is not reached, he will be released as a free agent.

Doosan accepted this unfavorable condition because it reduced the size of the contract. For example, it is a contract worth a total of 13 billion won, but instead of giving the player an advantageous option, it was cut to 11.5 billion won. In fact, at this time, it can be said that he has already saved money in advance with the determination not to receive compensation. It's Jammo. Kim Jae-hwan's side is free to release the amount it made four years ago, and it is possible to compromise by winning a better contract.

The problem is that it is required as a 'required option'. The case of Kim Jae-hwan was used as a bargaining chip. In the process of drawing up and coordinating a large framework, the interests of the two sides matched. However, the club could be at a disadvantage if the player wants to put this option on the floor. A KBO official said "It is an agreement between the players and the club, and it is not a violation of the rules. Still, there is room for discussion because the issue has become a big issue this time" he pointed out.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.