‘3 years, 2.4 billion won, and three consecutive 7th-place finishes’ — Is a Kim Tae-hyung contract extension even possible? The very mention of this option is met with “bewilderment” on the ground

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

This season, the Lotte Giants finished a bleak 2026 campaign in 7th place with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses (a .454 winning percentage). It marks their ninth consecutive year of failing to qualify for the postseason since 2017. As they face a cold autumn without even crossing the threshold into fall baseball, reactions ranging from shock to absurdity have poured out among on-the-ground figures and experts in the baseball world after rumors of a “possible contract extension” for manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) suddenly surfaced from within and outside the club.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung took over as Lotte’s skipper in October 2023 under an unprecedented three-year, total-value contract worth 2.4 billion won. Given his past achievements with the Doosan Bears—reaching the Korea Series for seven consecutive years and winning three championships—the expectations placed on him were clear: to break the long, dark period by returning the team to fall baseball.

However, his three-year report card at Lotte ended in a dismal loop of “7th place, 7th place, 7th place.” He himself, ahead of the final regular-season game on the 12th, stated, “If I haven’t produced results within three years, it is the manager’s responsibility,” calmly accepting the outcome.

Of course, in the professional world, whether to continue with a manager is strictly the exclusive right of the employer, the club. In extreme terms, even if a team finishes last throughout a manager’s tenure, handing them the reins again could be considered the club’s freedom and choice. However, whether that choice gains at least minimal common sense, justification, and public persuasiveness is an entirely different matter.

This is precisely why on-the-ground baseball figures are shaking their heads at the defense emerging from within and outside the club that “they should be given a contract extension opportunity because they developed young prospects.” A broadcaster’s commentator said, “That opinion is simply incomprehensible. I question whether it is a rational judgment,” delivering a sharp rebuke in a strong tone.

He added, “I don’t know where the logic comes from that says we must extend a contract just because players were developed despite failing to advance to fall baseball,” and pointed out, “By that same logic, why were former managers Cho Won-woo and Jerry Royster fired?”

In fact, Manager Royster failed to secure a contract extension despite leading the team to three consecutive postseason appearances, citing the reason that he could not reach a higher level. Meanwhile, Manager Cho Won-woo had to step down immediately after the team dropped to 7th place the following year, even though he had led them to 3rd place in the 2017 regular season. Even skipper who had tasted fall baseball faced the cold wind of dismissal; considering a contract extension for a manager who stayed at 7th place for three years and imposed the shackles of nine consecutive postseason eliminations, using “development” as an excuse, is a clear self-contradiction.

Looking at the metrics, the situation is even more dismal. Manager Kim Tae-hyung’s cumulative record over his three seasons (2024–2026) with Lotte stands at 196 wins, 13 draws, and 223 losses, translating to a winning percentage of just .468. This is lower than the figure of former manager Larry Sutton (tenure 2021–2023; 162 wins, 12 draws, 182 losses; .471 winning percentage), who was forced out in disgrace due to poor performance and deteriorating health. The fact that the result of such a hefty salary is a winning percentage lower than that of his predecessor foreign manager is difficult to hide with any excuse.

Given these circumstances, on-the-ground figures are casting suspicious glances at the source of this contract extension controversy. One baseball insider noted, “When the manager himself acknowledges his responsibility, isn’t this unreasonable public opinion being stirred up a reckless move by a specific faction trying to test the waters?” A source from a metropolitan-area club also retorted, “Where is the club that would offer a contract extension to a manager who finished 7th for three consecutive years?” and added, “If you hide the manager’s name and look only at the report card, the answer is already clear.”

Ultimately, it is up to the club to decide whether to continue with its manager. However, how much empathy a development-focused argument without underlying performance can gain is a matter that should be examined coldly. The Lotte club also needs to reflect on the on-the-ground gaze that finds it strange for this option to even be on the table.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original