Noh Si-hwan, who gave up the 30.7 billion won "Lotto No. 16 prize," says, "There is a shortage of third basemen in the U.S...." Adaptation to fastballs and defensive capability at third base are key

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

11 years, 30.7 billion won. Although he signed a mega-contract unprecedented in the history of Korean baseball, Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles) chose to forgo guaranteed wealth in favor of his dream.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) requested the Major League Baseball (MLB) office on October 31 to post Noh Si-hwan to all 30 MLB teams, at the request of the Hanwha Eagles club.

Noh Si-hwan wrote a new chapter in Korean baseball history by signing a non-FA multi-year contract with Hanwha last February ahead of this season. The recent Lotto jackpot is approximately 1.9 billion won. It is an amount that would require winning the Lotto 16 times to obtain. If he moves to the U.S., this contract will be completely voided, but Noh Si-hwan chose to run toward a goal he has dreamed of since childhood, even if uncertain, rather than a guaranteed large sum.

The 30 MLB teams can negotiate a contract with Noh Si-hwan from 8:00 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) the day after the MLB office announces the posting until 5:00 p.m. on the 30th day, and if a contract is signed, they must pay Hanwha Eagles a transfer fee in accordance with the Korea-U.S. Player Contract Agreement.

Depending on the size of the contract, Hanwha will receive a posting fee (transfer fee) equivalent to 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount exceeding $50 million.

If no agreement is reached by the expiration of negotiations, the posting will end, and Noh Si-hwan will remain with Hanwha.

Although he signed a contract of enormous scale, it included a clause stating that Hanwha would respect his wishes if Noh Si-hwan wanted to move to the U.S. at the time.

Noh Si-hwan's agent, UA Company, stated, "We have applied for posting in pursuit of the dream of entering Major League Baseball, which he has harbored for a long time. As this is a precious opportunity to challenge himself at a young age, we intend to approach this challenge with a humble and serious attitude." The company added, "Playing on the Major League stage is a goal Noh Si-hwan has held onto for a long time as a baseball player. This decision was based on his desire to learn, compete, and grow one step further as a player in a new environment. We are grateful for the opportunity to challenge our long-held dream and will prepare calmly."

MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR), which primarily covers MLB transfer news, reported on Noh Si-hwan's posting application, stating, "The 11-year contract Noh Si-hwan signed with Hanwha is worth 30.7 billion won, guaranteeing a sum slightly over $23 million based on the won-dollar exchange rate." The outlet noted, "Noh Si-hwan, who has already secured considerable financial stability, holds a certain advantage when reviewing offers from Major League teams. Of course, it is also worth considering the possibility that an MLB team might offer less than $23 million but propose a shorter contract term."

Although he has not shown the same impact as in 2023, when he won the home run and RBI titles, it is a clear merit that he is a third baseman who has performed as a top-tier slugger in the league, hitting an impressive 116 home runs and recording 387 RBIs over the last four years.

However, the outlet noted, "The KBO League is generally evaluated as one tier below Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), resulting in relatively few precedents of players successfully moving directly from Korea to Major League Baseball (especially hitters)." It assessed, "Noh Si-hwan's market value depends on how MLB teams judge whether he possesses the skill to hit pitches from higher-level pitchers, but considering his outstanding performance in Korea, he has sufficient appeal."

Assessments of defensive ability are also a crucial variable that will determine Noh Si-hwan's value. MLBTR stated, "Defensively, Noh Si-hwan has served as Hanwha's full-time third baseman for the past four seasons, but he also played first base in the past and at WBC tournaments." The outlet predicted, "If Major League evaluators determine that Noh Si-hwan can show at least competent defensive skills at the hot corner (third base), his value will rise further in this free agent market, where there is a notable shortage of reliable third basemen."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original