*This content was translated by AI.View Original
Unverified rumors spread first, followed by the team’s explanations—a pattern that has repeated itself. The Lotte Giants, which had been carefully preparing for a new start, have been plagued by unnecessary noise during the process of selecting its next manager and general manager.
Lotte issued two official statements on the 25th. They were responses to reports by some media outlets regarding the appointment of former NC Dinos manager Lee Dong-wook (53) as the next skipper, and speculation that commentator Lee Taek-geun (46) had been named the new general manager.
The Lotte organization stated, “It is true that Manager Lee Dong-wook is among the candidates, but the final process for selecting the manager is currently underway. We will make an announcement as soon as the selection process is finalized.” It added, “It is also true that Commissioner Lee Taek-geun underwent an interview for the general manager position. No other matters have been decided.” While it was confirmed that both individuals were indeed included in the candidate pool, the organization maintained that final appointments had not yet been determined.
The issue is that these stories leaked outside the organization before any official announcement. Rumors surrounding Lotte’s managerial selection had continued even before the start of the wild card series. Various figures were mentioned as managerial candidates, regardless of whether they were former Lotte players or external hires, and the possibility of an internal promotion was also raised. For the general manager position, names of various individuals, including current coaches and commentators, came up.
Eventually, on the 21st, speculation arose that Special Advisor Takatsu Shingo (58) had been appointed as manager, and that commentator Lee Taek-geun had been recommended for the general manager role. At the time, a Lotte organization official denied this, stating, “We have not offered the managerial position to Advisor Takatsu. It is also not true that Advisor Takatsu recommended Commentator Lee Taek-geun for the general manager post.”
Of course, the speculation about Advisor Takatsu’s recommendation and Commentator Lee Taek-geun’s actual interview are separate matters. The fact that the organization denied the recommendation does not mean it was proven true. However, with the confirmation that Lee Taek-geun, whose name had been mentioned since then, actually underwent an interview as a general manager candidate, it has become difficult to dismiss all the circulating stories as baseless rumors.
It is regrettable that information related to personnel decisions has repeatedly surfaced before the organization’s official explanations. Explanations stating that the process is being handled carefully have been insufficient to alleviate the growing curiosity. Furthermore, due to delays in decision-making from upper management, the organization could not simply repeat requests for patience.
It is not hard to understand why Lotte’s deliberations are dragging on. This year is a period where the fates of Koo Dan (CEO) (Executive Director), the general manager, and the manager are intertwined. It is a situation that requires deciding not just replacing one manager, but also the operational direction that will lead the organization for the next several years. It is natural that such important personnel decisions require careful judgment from the group level rather than being decided solely by the franchise.
Lotte finished the 2026 season in seventh place with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses (winning percentage .454). The team failed to advance to the postseason for the ninth consecutive year since 2017, and during Manager Kim Tae-hyung’s (59) three-year tenure, it finished seventh in all three seasons.
On the other hand, the player roster showed signs of gradual growth. This year, all five starting pitchers completed the qualifying innings (144 innings), and young players such as Son Seong-bin, Go Seung-min, and Jeon Min-jae established themselves as regulars. Depending on whether the team chooses to aggressively reinforce its lineup to challenge for the postseason or places more emphasis on player development, the roles required of the new manager and general manager may differ.
However, the burden associated with prolonged decision-making does not disappear. Lotte has yet to confirm a new manager two weeks after finishing the regular season on the 12th. It was only on the 24th that the organization officially announced it would not re-sign Manager Kim Tae-hyung.
The player roster has already begun preparations for the 2027 season. Currently, key players including captain Jeon Jun-woo (40) and Kim Won-jung (33) are undergoing final training at Sajik Baseball Stadium, while some players have started individual training at overseas specialized development institutions.
A final camp will be held in Miyazaki, Japan, starting November 4. Less than ten days remain. While there is precedent for other organizations to start final camps without a manager, it is difficult to consider the timeline comfortable, as the composition of the coaching staff and the direction of player guidance may change depending on the new manager’s vision.
The Lotte organization has repeatedly explained that selecting a manager is its top priority. One cannot fault the caution itself. However, the longer the decision takes, the more rumors accumulate, and as some of them align with the actual personnel process, trust in the organization’s explanations inevitably suffers.
The new manager and general manager will be key figures responsible for Lotte’s next several years. There is no disagreement that the best choice must be made after thorough review. However, it is time to move beyond explanations that “the selection process is underway” and make a decision regarding the personnel results and the organization’s new operational direction.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
