"Roh Si-hwan, who secured 30.7 billion won, is a watershed for WBC's performance → Young age is attractive to ML clubs." U.S. media are also interested

*This content was translated by AI.

The U.S. media across the Pacific is also showing keen interest in Roh Si-hwan (26), who signed an unprecedented mega contract with the Hanwha Eagles for up to 30.7 billion won for 11 years in KBO league history. Noting that there is a clause in the Major League posting after the end of the 2026 season, he expected that the performance award would be a watershed at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March.

MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR), which mainly deals with the movement of U.S. Major League players, focused on the news of Roh Si-hwan's long-term contract on the 23rd (Korea time), and analyzed how the contract will affect his future MLB advancement beyond just staying.

In particular, the media paid attention to the "posting allowance clause" included in this contract. According to Hanwha, Noh Si-hwan can knock on the door of Major League Baseball through a posting system (closed competitive bidding) after the 2026 season is over. They only allowed them to enter the Major League, not the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), but they mutually agreed to return to Hanwha when they returned.

MLBTR analyzed, "Roh has already been guaranteed a large amount of $21.3 million (about 30.7 billion won) by Hanwha," adding, "This will be a kind of guideline for MLB clubs trying to recruit him." In other words, in order to tempt Noh Si-hwan, MLB clubs must throw an unconventional offer that exceeds Hanwha's conditions. From the player's point of view, it is a kind of safety device that allows him to sit confidently at the negotiating table while securing a huge haven to return even if he fails to advance to the U.S.

Noh Si-hwan's biggest weapon, which is evaluated in the U.S., is by far "age." In the winter of 2026, when he qualifies for posting, Noh will be only 26 years old. The media said, "Power heaters in the market at the age of mid-20s are certainly an attractive factor for MLB clubs." In fact, Roh Si-hwan has recorded more than 20 home runs in the last three consecutive years, especially in the 2025 season, he broke his career high by sweeping 32 home runs and 101 RBIs. In addition, the fact that he is a young third baseman who has played more than 100 games steadily since the 2020 season and has been proven to be durable is expected to be an advantage for big league teams seeking to strengthen their depth.

In the end, all eyes are on the WBC in March. This is because it is a competition that not only the Major League but also the world is paying attention to, and at the same time, players who are in the Major League will also participate. The media did not hide its expectations, saying, "Through this WBC, we will be able to check the skills of Noh Si-hwan, a key hitter of the Korean national team."

For Noh Si-hwan, who has already established himself as a top infielder in the KBO League, WBC seems to be a "fountain spirit" to prove his competitiveness to the world. In particular, numerous MLB scouts are expected to gather in the round at Tokyo Dome in Japan, and Noh's evaluation could rise further depending on whether he plays in the tournament or not.

Noh Si-hwan showed extraordinary loyalty to Hanwha but did not hide his dream of becoming a major league player. The world's baseball community is paying attention to whether he, who has become a "man of 30.7 billion won," will be able to steal the hearts of major league clubs by continuing his momentum through Tokyo and Miami.

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*This content was translated by AI.