*This content was translated by AI.
15 billion won is basic and is expected to exceed 20 billion won. Some even tilted their heads, but some agreed that it would be possible considering their young age. However, after the contract results were announced, the baseball community was in shock. Because it was on a scale that no one expected.
The total amount for 11 years is 30.7 billion won. This is the result of a multi-year contract with Noh Si-hwan (26) and non-FA (free agent) announced by Hanwha Eagles on the 23rd.
The total amount is surprising, but the average annual amount of about 2.8 billion won was not unprecedented. However, such a long contract period was surprising enough to be seen in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
After the contract, Hanwha emphasized, "We signed a large contract reflecting Roh Si-hwan's past (the process of joining as a rookie and growing into a franchise star and symbolism), the present (value as a big gun representing the KBO League), and the future (the possibility of future development is still open at a young age in his mid-20s)."
Noh Si-hwan, who joined Hanwha as the third overall pick in the second first round in the 2019 KBO rookie draft, quickly jumped to the starting lineup and became a two-time batting champion with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs in 2023. He even solved the military service problem with the Asian Games gold medal that year, and spent his career high season with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs last year.
Now, Hanwha Legends Jang Jong-hoon and Kim Tae-kyun, who are left with permanent numbers, are the targets for comparison. Hanwha was confident that Kim Tae-kyun could grow like this and responded to fans' demands for Roh Si-hwan's "Jongshin Hanwha." Unless it is an extreme case such as a trade, the calculation is that Hanwha will finish his career without giving up a no-show to other teams.
There is only one variable. It's going to the MLB. Hanwha explained, "We added a clause that allows players to advance to MLB through posting after the end of the 2026 season, so that they can also induce motivation for players."
After completing the seven seasons, Roh Si-hwan was able to challenge for the big league as an FA when he finished next season, but Hanwha clearly took ownership of Roh through a long-term contract. If he challenges the U.S. stage through posting, there is a possibility that he will be able to cover some of his investment in Noh Si-hwan with posting fees.
In addition, since overseas expansion methods are limited to posting, he must return as a Hanwha player when he returns. As Noh Si-hwan, who has a place to return, he has a seat where he can try without burden. Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha), Kim Hyun-soo (KT), Lee Dae-ho (retired) and Park Byung-ho (retired) also returned after entering the big league and played an active role. Hanwha also decided to open the way for Noh Si-hwan in consideration of the cause.
It resembles Song Seong-moon (San Diego) in many ways. Song Sung-moon, who signed a four-year, $15 million (21.6 billion won) contract with San Diego through posting this winter, signed a non-FA multi-year contract of 12 billion won for six years during the season. After a career-high season, he won the Golden Glove and the defensive award as a third baseman and eventually wore a San Diego uniform.
At the same time, the multi-year contract was naturally canceled. If Song Sung-moon returns from his U.S. career, he will play for Kiwoom, but he has to sign a new contract. Noh Si-hwan is the same.
The important thing is the big league's demand for Noh Si-hwan. Therefore, Song Sung-moon's performance this season is expected to be important. Song Sung-moon has been the league's best hitter for the last two seasons. Last year, he became the best third baseman with a batting average of 0.315 with 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, 103 runs and 25 steals, an on-base percentage of 0.387, a slugging percentage of 0.530, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.917.
Although he is four years younger, it is true that Song Sung-moon has the upper hand in terms of sophistication, defense, and overall ability except for home runs.
However, after a year, the situation may be different from now. If Song Sung-moon is on the path of success, the evaluation of Noh Si-hwan will naturally go up. Another is that Noh Si-hwan himself has to do more step-ups. Whether you definitely increase your slugging power or upgrade to sophistication, you erase gaps. Increasing the on-base percentage, which was only 0.35 units, is also expected to be an important task.
Hanwha fans may hope not to do too well, but Noh Si-hwan has a firm goal. After completing the contract, Noh Si-hwan said, "I think it's my dream for any player to play on the best stage in the world, but thankfully, the club gave me permission, so I put in such a contract clause. "I'm really grateful," he said. "When I became the best player in Korea, I wanted to try it once, so I signed the contract like that."
The focus is on maintaining good health. Noh Si-hwan, who met with reporters at the second camp of the Japanese Okinawa national team after the announcement of the contract, said, "I think if I play the full season without getting sick, I will definitely come out, so I'm only going to be careful about injuries."
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*This content was translated by AI.




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