While most clubs in the KBO League have completed their power composition for the 2023 season and are in full swing preparing for spring camp, there are still four players left in the free agent market. Jeong Chan-heon (33), who played for Kiwoom last year, is one of them. 메이저놀이터

Jeong Chan-heon is a veteran pitcher who recorded 48 wins, 53 losses, 28 holds, 46 saves, and an average ERA of 4.80 in 389 KBO league games (742 innings). He succeeded in reviving as a starting pitcher after back surgery in 2019, but had a rather sluggish performance last season, which was important, with 20 games (87⅓ innings) 5 wins and 6 losses with an average ERA of 5.36.

After the season ended, Jeong Chan-heon broke the expectation that he could remain at Kiwoom and declared free agency and came to the market. He decided not to give up his first free agency qualification after his professional debut and to receive the market’s evaluation. However, the reaction of the market was colder than expected. Jeong Chan-heon, a B-class free agent, has to pay 280 million won in compensation and one compensation player in addition to 25 protected players if a club other than the original team Kiwoom signs a contract. So far, there is no team that accepts this bleeding and recruits Jeong Chan-heon.

In an interview on the 18th, Jung Chan-heon said, “I know that there is a team that has had several stories. However, he did not make it to the stage of his contract in the end. Now, there are four free agents left, so it seems important how well you wait and go to a good team,” he said about the market situation.

Spring camp is approaching, but there is still no noticeable movement in the market. Kiwoom, the original team, also maintains a passive stance that basically it should move from the player side. It is realistic to find a way out in a different direction, such as sign-and-trade, but it is not easy either.

The wait for the FA contract is getting longer than expected, but Jung Chan-heon’s will is different. Since his injury, he has not been able to play as a bullpen pitcher because he has not been able to fight, but he has shown strong determination that he can play in any position now.

In the worst case, you may not find your team until spring training begins. However, Jeong Chan-heon talked about the case of Cha Woo-chan (Lotte) and said, “(Cha) Woo-chan hyung said, ‘I did it too, but you can’t? I also went to camp and signed a contract.” Everyone is still at the age to play baseball, so it gives me strength to support them.”

Jeong Chan-heon, who said, “I will try my best even by myself,” said, “The situation is like this, but I am preparing well. I will prepare my body so that I can play an active role immediately when I am called,” he said, saying that he will wait even if it takes a long time.