*This content was translated by AI.
Kim Joo-won (24, NC Dinos), who became the national shortstop after a career high season, smiled in salary negotiations.
NC Dinos said on the 22nd, "We have completed contracts with all 70 people (excluding FA, non-FA multi-year contracts, foreigners, and rookies) who will renew their salaries in the 2026 season."
Kim Joo-won signed a contract for 350 million won, a 75% increase from 200 million won last year, marking the highest annual salary among those eligible for renewal. Last year, he established himself as the mainstay of the team's lineup and played in all 144 games with a batting average of 0.289 (156 hits in 539 at-bats), 15 homers, 65 RBIs, 98 runs and 44 steals, an on-base percentage of 0.379, an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.451, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.830.
Kim Joo-won, who won his first Golden Glove and Defense Award since the end of the season, hit a tiebreaking home run against Japan in the bottom of the ninth inning in the K-baseball series and also joined the first camp of Saipan, the national baseball team, ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Kim Ha-sung (Atlanta) suffered an unexpected injury, raising the value of Kim Joo-won. Kim Joo-won, the only shortstop on the list of participants in the first camp, has become a big part of the national team that will play in the WBC.
The highest increase rate in the team was recorded by pitcher Jeon Sa-min. Jeon Sa-min entered the billion-dollar annual salary by signing 130 million won, a 242% increase from 38 million won last year. He pitched in 74 games last season and played 82 ⅓ innings, the most among KBO league relief pitchers, with 7 wins, 13 holds, 2 saves and an ERA of 4.26.
Major bullpen resources also signed the increased amount. Ryu Jin-wook signed a 48% increase to 200 million won, and Kim Jin-ho signed a 160% increase to 130 million won. Bae Jae-hwan finished the contract at 120 million won, a 118 percent increase, and Son Joo-hwan finished the contract at 80 million won, a 167 percent increase.
In the fielders, catcher Kim Hyung-joon completed the contract at 200 million won, an 82% increase from 110 million won, and infielder Kim Hwi-jip completed the contract at 240 million won, a 37% increase from 175 million won. Outfielder Chun Jae-hwan signed a contract for 100 million won, a 32% increase.
The contract increased the number of 100 million annual salary to 15 through this contract, including Chun Jae-hwan, Bae Jae-hwan, Jeon Sa-min, and Kim Jin-ho, who became the first billion-dollar annual salary in their lives.
The NC team, which has completed its annual salary contract, will depart for Tucson, Arizona, USA, on the 24th.
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*This content was translated by AI.
