[Official Announcement] 'Can such a contract exist?' Kiwoom Heroes adjusts the scale of Seoh Geon-chang's contract from '2 years, 600 million won' to '1.2 billion won'

*This content was translated by AI.

An unprecedented contract has occurred in Korean baseball history. 'Professor Seo,' Seoh Geon-chang (37), who returned to Kiwoom Heroes, underwent a scale adjustment following an exceptional agreement. The move draws attention as the club took the initiative to adjust the terms upward.

On the 31st, Kiwoom Heroes announced, "We have adjusted the contract scale by adding an option clause to the existing non-FA multi-year contract with infielder Seoh Geon-chang."

The club maintained the original two-year (2027–2028) total maximum value of 600 million won for Seoh Geon-chang, who currently ranks first among team position players in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) with a score of 2.73, while adding an option clause (specific details undisclosed), thereby adjusting the contract scale to allow him to receive up to 1.2 billion won. The option was set at a level that the player can reasonably achieve, effectively guaranteeing the full 1.2 billion won.

On the morning of the 31st, Kiwoom Heroes held a multi-year contract signing ceremony at The Link Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Sindorim, Seoul, attended by Wi Jae-min (CEO) director, Manager Heo Seung-pil, Seoh Geon-chang, and his family.

Seoh Geon-chang began his career as a development player for LG Twins in 2008 and started his full professional career with Nexen Heroes (the predecessor of Kiwoom) in 2012. Establishing himself as a core player for Nexen, Seoh Geon-chang achieved the batting triple crown with a .370 average, 201 hits, and 135 runs scored in 2014, earning the season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Notably, the 200th-hit milestone was an unprecedented record in KBO history.

After moving to LG at the end of the 2020 season, Seoh Geon-chang struggled with a batting average in the .200s over three seasons and was eventually released. After many twists and turns, he joined his hometown team KIA, recording a .310 average in 2024, but after performing poorly with a .136 average in just 10 games last year, he was released once again. Ultimately, Seoh Geon-chang returned to his original team, Kiwoom, following the end of last season.

Although he prepared for the season with determination since spring training, Seoh Geon-chang suffered an unexpected finger injury during exhibition games and had to focus on rehabilitation for some time. Starting from May, he actively participated in games, delivering consistent performances that injected vitality into the team's lineup, leading the club to sign him to a two-year non-FA multi-year contract worth up to 600 million won based on his contributions.

Seoh Geon-chang continued to deliver strong performances afterward. Beyond his personal statistics, he contributed to the team both on and off the field by leading younger players and serving as a central figure for the squad. In this season's 85 games, he posted a .323 batting average (107 hits in 331 at-bats), three home runs, 31 RBIs, 56 runs scored, a .409 on-base percentage, a .411 slugging percentage, an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.820, a .388 batting average with runners in scoring position, and a .500 batting average as a pinch hitter, showcasing MVP-caliber performance while leading the team's offense. He is being evaluated as entering his "second prime," having recorded triple-digit hits for the first time since the 2021 season.

The club determined that Seoh Geon-chang's performance, leadership, and contributions throughout this season warranted a comprehensive reevaluation, concluding that he deserved treatment commensurate with his current player value.

A club official stated, "Seo Geon-chang has performed well this season, and we highly appreciate his contributions as a veteran to the team. Recognizing that he deserves treatment matching the value he is currently demonstrating, we have adjusted the terms by adding an option clause to his existing contract. We hope this agreement will further solidify trust between the club and the player and serve as new motivation for him."

Seo Geon-chang said, "This was a proposal I never expected, so I was surprised at first. Regardless of the amount, I sincerely thank the club for valuing my worth as a player and appreciating my performance thus far. Knowing well what role the club expects from me, I also feel an even greater sense of responsibility. Rather than focusing solely on personal statistics, I will strive to become a player who leads younger teammates effectively and positively influences the team. I will do my best in every role both on and off the field to help Heroes return to the ranks of strong teams."

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*This content was translated by AI.