Ha Young-min's honest confession: "Trade rumors? I was hearing about them for the first time; I never even thought of it → Delighted to be a Hero"

*This content was translated by AI.

As Kiwoom Heroes secured pitching stability by signing franchise pitcher Ha Young-min (31) to a massive eight-year, non-free agent multi-year contract worth 8 billion won, Ha himself addressed the trade rumors that had heated up the baseball world throughout this season. His conclusion was "completely new" and "indifferent."

Having committed to a long-term future as a one-club man by signing a massive multi-year deal with the club, Ha Young-min, after finishing all training sessions at Gochok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the 13th, responded calmly to trade rumors surrounding him: "Honestly, I don't quite understand why such stories came up."

Kiwoom Heroes officially announced on the 13th that it had signed pitcher Ha Young-min to an eight-year (2027–2034), non-free agent multi-year contract worth 8 billion won. This is the largest actual non-free agent multi-year contract in the club's history and ranks as the sixth-largest pitcher non-free agent multi-year contract in KBO League history, following Ryu Hyun-jin and Kim Kwang-hyun. The contract will take effect from the 2027 season.

Although Ha Young-min has now effectively declared himself a "lifetime Hero" under the club's full trust, it is true that mysterious trade rumors surrounding him continued to circulate in the baseball world until recently.

Meeting Ha Young-min at Gochok Dome on the 13th, he clarified to StarNews regarding rumors of trade discussions in the baseball world: "I've heard from others that when players visit other ballparks, they hear things like 'Our team is good' or 'He's a starter,' but not a single player has ever come directly to me and said such things." He made it clear that there was no such atmosphere on the field despite external rumors. Ha further added, "I've never heard of this before, nor have any players approached me directly with such claims, so I find it strange why these rumors started."

For a player, constant trade rumors from outside could be stressful. However, Ha Young-min shook his head. He showed a generous demeanor, stating, "I never even considered the possibility of a trade in the first place, so I didn't pay much attention to external remarks."

The reason Ha Young-min remained unmoved by surrounding attempts to shake him was his deep affection and trust for the club. Having joined through the second round of the 2014 rookie draft, he is now entering his 13th season. In the past two years, he has consistently pitched over 150 innings, serving as a reliable pillar of the team's starting rotation. The club, recognizing him as a core component of its medium-to-long-term plans, moved quickly to finalize the contract.

Ha Young-min recalled the negotiation process: "When I was first offered the contract, I was actually bewildered. Since they treated me so well, there was no need for hesitation; I felt only gratitude for their offer."

Did he ever consider entering the free agent market after the season? Ha Young-min candidly shared his thoughts while calmly assessing his career. Debuting in the 2014 season, his nine wins (eight losses) in the 2024 season represent his personal single-season record for most wins. Although he posted an ERA in the 3rd-point range in the 2016 season (3.14) and 2022 season (3.43), those were all in relief roles. Since fully transitioning to a starting pitcher role in the 2024 season, he has yet to achieve double-digit wins with an ERA in the 3rd-point range.

Ha Young-min admitted calmly: "I did have personal concerns. I haven't yet recorded 10 wins in a single season as a starter, nor have I ever posted an ERA in the 3rd-point range over the required innings." He continued, "With such cold, realistic thoughts in mind, I concluded that responding to the club's full trust by choosing to become a 'lifetime Hero' was the most correct decision."

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*This content was translated by AI.