"Because Roh Si-hwan doesn't think about the other team." Five-year contract → 30.7 billion won → 11 years stamp! How was the new history of KBO born

*This content was translated by AI.

Hanwha Eagles and Noh Si-hwan (26) rewritten KBO history. Son Hyuk (53), Hanwha's general manager, explains that Roh Si-hwan (26), who is always hungry in Hanwha, was willing.

On the morning of the 23rd, Hanwha announced that it had signed a large FA contract worth 30.7 billion won with Noh Si-hwan for an 11-year contract period. The contract terms and conditions are a total of 30.7 billion won including options in 11 years of the contract period from 2027 to 2037, the longest and largest contract in KBO league history, including FA contracts and non-FA multi-year contracts.

Hanwha explained that it signed a large contract reflecting the past, present and future, including the process of joining as a rookie and growing into a franchise star, its value as a big gun representing the KBO League, and the possibility of future development still open at a young age in his mid-20s.

It happened to be the day of the practice match between Hanwha and the national team. Noh Si-hwan, who recently joined the national team to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), expressed his feelings about signing with Hanwha. The person who watched it with a happy smile from the side is general manager Son Hyuk. I was able to hear the back story of the birth of a new KBO history in detail from general manager Son Hyuk, who constantly suffered from rumors about Roh Si-hwan's non-FA multi-year contract last winter.

Putting together the stories of Noh Si-hwan and Son Hyuk, the extension contract negotiations began with a five-year contract. Noh Si-hwan said, "At first, we talked about it on a five-year basis, but the club asked us to do it on a long-term basis if we're going to do it. I also wanted to be in Hanwha, and it went on comfortably after that," he said.

Then, why did Hanwha suddenly propose a long-term contract. In response, general manager Son Hyuk said, "I didn't think about going to another team because I was quiet about my opinion. Then, we suggested that we extend the contract period a little longer and consider symbolism together. To our judgment, Noh Si-hwan was a player with the potential to become a Hanwha legend like Jang Jong-hoon and Kim Tae-kyun."

The total amount of the contract was set earlier. "Of course, 30.7 billion won is a lot of money," said Son Hyuk. However, if (Roh) Si-hwan hit 40 home runs this year, he could have had to spend much more on a four-year contract basis. In fact, there was no guarantee that we would catch it," he said. "We considered the symbolism of Roh Si-hwan. In addition, negotiating the contract took various periods, but it took a long time because it was worth 30 billion won. Actually, it is true that the number 3 is really big. It's an amount that we can't help but bear the burden," he added.

However, he believed in Noh Si-hwan's young age and consistency. Noh Si-hwan, who joined Hanwha as the third-ranked player in the second round of the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft, has been in the first division since his debut. With a steady performance, he recorded a batting average of 0.264 (770 hits in 2916 at-bats), 124 homers, 490 RBIs, 446 runs and 35 steals in 830 games, and an on-base percentage of 0.352 on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.449 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.801.

Coach Son Hyuk said, "It's about playing for the next 11 years. Looking at players like Choi Hyung-woo, who is good at playing now, Noh Si-hwan, who is much younger, has a lot to show. In addition, players of A level or higher among FA of each team still receive an annual salary of more than 3 billion won. I also thought about that and calculated it," he explained. "The group was actually very big money, but they were willing to think about it. Instead, he asked his fans to show it passionately. And that's how much he likes baseball. This part is the same for (Roh) Si-hwan and me as well as the boss. I really appreciate Hanwha Group," he said.

Choi Jeong (39, SSG Landers) was also named by chance in the number of 30.7 billion won. KBO right-handed hitter living legend Choi Jung received 30.2 billion won through three FA's with 8.6 billion won (2014), up to 10.6 billion won (2018) for six years, and 11 billion won (2024) for four years. Choi Jung was the first to exceed 30 billion won in FA annual salary.

Choi Jung-eun, who remains the KBO's career record for most home runs and a franchise star of a club, is also what Hanwha wants from Noh Si-hwan. In response, Noh Si-hwan said, "Choi Jung was a player I really respected since I was young. However, I was really moved by the offer of another amount exceeding that amount. In a way, I feel really proud because I received the highest amount, and I think I negotiated it easily because I was thrilled."

There is one more person who has exceeded the contract scale of Noh Si-hwan. It is Ryu Hyun-jin (39), a senior member of the same team. Ryu Hyun-jin chose to return to Korea ahead of the 2024 season and signed an eight-year, non-FA multi-year contract with Hanwha worth 17 billion won. Ryu Hyun-jin was the best record before Noh Si-hwan.

Noh Si-hwan said, "Ryu Hyun-jin really congratulated me and told me to buy a meal. Honestly, I don't think I'm as good as your claws. I want to treat you to a meal with gratitude to your seniors," he said with a smile.

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*This content was translated by AI.