'What a shock' KIA's compensation player vanishes! Kim Ho-ryeong, why was he classified as 'Grade C instead of Grade B'... Transformation into the ultimate value card

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Three center fielders who share the common denominator of exceptional defensive skills and speed have simultaneously entered the market. The most significant difference appeared to be their age, which is why Choi Ji-hoon (29) was evaluated as the top-priority card. However, Kim Ho-ryeong (34) was classified as Grade C instead of the expected Grade B. While Choi Ji-hoon's value remains intact, Kim Ho-ryeong is also set to attract even more attention as he emerges as a card with the best cost-effectiveness.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) publicly disclosed the list of players eligible for free agency (FA) status in 2027 on the 13th. A total of 28 players gained FA eligibility, comprising six Grade A, 14 Grade B, and eight Grade C players.

While Won Tae-in and Koo Ja-wook, who helped build the Samsung Lions' championship, are drawing the most attention, the "trio" of center fielders is capturing just as much interest. They are Choi Ji-hoon, Kim Ho-ryeong, and Jung Su-bin (36).

The three players are largely similar in that they possess top-tier defensive skills, fast legs, and contact ability at or around the league average level. The biggest differences lie in their age and the grade determined by their salaries over the past three years.

Choi Ji-hoon and Jung Su-bin were classified as Grade B, as expected. Kim Ho-ryeong, who was anticipated to be grouped with them, ended up as Grade C. Ahead of this season, the KIA Tigers raised Kim Ho-ryeong's salary from 90 million won in 2024 and 80 million won in 2025 to 250 million won. Although he had a career-high season, considering that he was unable to play full-time, it appeared that the increase included calculations aimed at securing Grade B status given that it was the season immediately preceding his FA eligibility.

However, the result left a sense of regret. Considering that relief pitcher Park Chi-guk, who became an FA from Doosan, was classified as Grade B with total salaries of 427 million won over the past three years, it appears that the grade was determined by a difference of 7 million won or less in total amount.

Of course, this cannot be simply interpreted as something that occurred because KIA tried to save 7 million won. Kim Ho-ryeong clearly fell within the top four to ten salaries within his team, which would have qualified him for Grade B status internally. The issue arose when the scope was expanded to the entire league. He should have been included in ranks 31 through 60, but Kim Ho-ryeong fell outside this ranking.

There are complex reasons. One factor is that Ko Woo-seok (LG) joined with a salary of 500 million won during the season, pushing rankings down. Another variable lay in the KBO's salary determination criteria. The player's salary officially verifiable through the KBO website and other channels is the guaranteed amount at the time of contract, whereas what the KBO uses as the basis for calculating FA grades is the final received amount. It has become common to include options in recent salary negotiations, meaning that depending on whether these conditions are met, the actual amount can easily exceed the publicly disclosed salary. Consequently, it has become difficult to clearly calculate FA grades at the time of salary contracts. As a result, it cannot simply be viewed as the grade being determined by a mere 7 million won difference.

Of course, it is clear that the grade changed due to a relatively small amount difference. That difference triggered a butterfly effect. When a team other than the player's original club signs an FA, they must provide compensation according to the grade: for Grade A, 300% or 200% of the previous season's salary plus one compensation player (outside the 20th protected players); for Grade B, 200% or 100% of the salary plus one compensation player (outside the 25th protected players); and for Grade C, only 150% of the previous season's salary is required without a compensation player.

If Kim Ho-ryeong had been Grade B, teams would have had to bear a compensation fee of 500 million won or 250 million won plus one compensation player to acquire him. However, with his classification as Grade C, the burden of a compensation player was eliminated, making it possible to sign him by paying only a compensation fee of 375 million won.

This sets the stage for clubs that need to stabilize their center field defense and strengthen their lineup to extend offers to Kim Ho-ryeong with even less hesitation.

Teams such as the Hanwha Eagles and NC Dinos, which have struggled significantly due to a lack of a reliable center fielder, are also classified as teams that can aim to reinforce their center field position.

The KIA Tigers are in the same situation. If Kim Ho-ryeong departs, no player is visible who can reliably guard the center field position. While there are players like Park Jeong-woo, who was actively utilized in the postseason, and Park Jae-hyun, who is playing as the national team's center fielder at the Asia Pro Baseball Championship (APBC), they are evaluated as still lacking in simultaneously replacing Kim Ho-ryeong in both defense and base running.

It is known that KIA proposed a non-FA multi-year contract to Kim Ho-ryeong early this season, but Kim Ho-ryeong rejected it. He wanted to enter the market and have his value recognized. If KIA presents terms satisfying to Kim Ho-ryeong and retains him, the situation could end as a simple fiasco. However, if Kim Ho-ryeong chooses to transfer after seeking better treatment elsewhere, the 7th million won salary difference will inevitably become a much larger blow for KIA.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original