Roh Si-hwan's 30.7 billion super jackpot contract, possibly invalid before the start... Hanwha looks forward to it

*This content was translated by AI.

There is a possibility that Hanwha Eagles' largest contract with Noh Si-hwan (26) will be invalid even before it begins.

Hanwha officially announced on the 23rd that it signed an FA contract worth a total of 30.7 billion won with Noh Si-hwan for an 11-year contract period. The terms and conditions of the contract are a total of 30.7 billion won including options for 11 years of the contract period from 2027 to 2037. It is the longest and largest contract in the history of the KBO League, both in FA contracts and non-FA multi-year contracts. It is a huge deal for Noh, who is only 26 years old.

There is an interesting point in the contract, which far exceeds the previous record in terms of both duration and size. It allowed overseas expansion through the posting system. If Noh Si-hwan plays the season normally, he will be eligible for posting after the end of the 2026 season. Hanwha said, "Overseas expansion is limited to Major League Baseball. Through posting, they mutually agreed to remain a Hanwha franchise even when they return and added terms of the contract. He also explained that he was able to draw out the motivation of the players.

The contract will begin in 2027. As such, if you enter the Major League after this season, it will be something that hasn't even started. However, both the club and the players inserted the conditions without much disagreement. At the Kadena Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, where the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team and Hanwha practice game was held, Hanwha General Manager Son Hyuk said, "If Noh Si-hwan goes to the Major League, the contract will be automatically canceled. We have to go back and negotiate again," he said.

At the same time, he understood, "If I don't do well, I won't think about it, but if I grow up to be a player who is still young and deserves to go, I have enough thoughts to give it a try."

After the success of Kang Jung-ho (retired) and Kim Ha-sung (Atlanta Braves), there was also a demand for KBO league fielders in the Major League. Following Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) and Kim Hye-sung (LA Dodgers), Song Sung-moon (San Diego Padres) headed to the U.S. last month.

General manager Son Hyuk said, "(The recent trend) is that, and there will be things to learn in the U.S. One of the reasons for favoring it is that when you go to a big stage, your perspective is broadened. It's better for me (No) Si-hwan to stay here and hit 30 home runs for 10 years. However, if you have such dreams and opportunities, I think it's good to go without success or failure."

It is not an easy decision for the club. Of course, when Noh Si-hwan succeeds in advancing to the Major League, the posting fee given to the original team will be high. Also, when he returns to Korea one day, Noh has to negotiate with Hanwha.

However, there are also empty seats where you realize your presence only when it is revealed. Without Noh Si-hwan, Hanwha will have to find a new 30 home runs and third baseman with steel physical strength that can play all 144 games. It is not easy to fill the gap between Noh Si-hwan in either attack or defense.

However, Hanwha looked a little further than the immediate regret and looked at the field of view broadly. It was possible because it was a club with pioneer Ryu Hyun-jin (39), who opened the way to the Major League through KBO.

Until Ryu Hyun-jin joined the LA Dodgers in 2013, left for the U.S. and returned to Hanwha in 2024, Hanwha uniforms and Korean baseball fans were seen everywhere in the U.S. baseball stadium where he went. In particular, the Taegeukgi they always bring became a pride for Korean fans.

General manager Son Hyuk said, "I've thought about that once. When Ryu Hyun-jin threw in the Major League, many fans wore Hanwha jerseys to the stadium. If our player goes to the Major League and plays, fans also get proud. I think that's one of the obligations of the professional club because the group and the members of the club must be the same," he said.

Also, going to the Major League is the reason why he has achieved outstanding performance. Until now, Noh has not been a player who has received much attention from Major League scouts. However, Song Sung-moon's case of dramatically moving to the Major League in the past two years has shown great performance, saying that Noh Si-hwan is not impossible.

This is why Hanwha can expect Noh Si-hwan to advance to the Major League. General manager Son Hyuk said, "To advance to the Major League means that Noh Si-hwan is doing well this year. If you go to the posting system, you can see it as our team again even if you go and come back," he also pointed out the realistic part.

Whatever it is, it is clear that there was consideration from the Hanwha team. In response, Noh Si-hwan also said, "Thank you for providing an opportunity for the club to challenge (the Major League). It also motivates me," he said.

At the same time, he said, "Of course, I really want to share the beginning and the end with Hanwha. I don't even want to imagine leaving this team because I've never thought about leaving it," he said, aiming for permanent suspension.

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*This content was translated by AI.