The longest period in KBO League history and the highest amount almost came true. 

The LG Twins offered closer pitcher Ko Woo-seok (24) a non-FA multi-year contract. The duration and amount are unconventional. During the 8-year contract period, LG presented the highest amount (amount undisclosed) that exceeded all previous FA and non-FA contracts.

However, the players politely refused. It is to challenge to advance to the major leagues if he obtains free agent qualifications.

According to a baseball official familiar with LG news, LG made an attempt to secure Ko Woo-suk on a multi-year contract before becoming a free agent. 

As the salary cap system is implemented, free agent contracts and high-paid player contracts are a heavy burden on clubs. Careful planning is required for salary management. There are increasing cases of holding on to a multi-year contract before becoming a free agent. LG also offered Ko Woo-suk a long-term contract.

However, the longest-term, highest-value contract in history was not concluded. Woo-seok Ko rejected LG’s offer. It’s not that I don’t like the amount. If he continues to play in the KBO League, he may have a desire to play for a long time wearing an LG uniform, but Ko Woo-seok said, ‘I refused to challenge the major leagues’.

Ko Woo-seok, who joined LG as the first nomination in 2017, has played 6 seasons until this year. In the first year of his debut in 2017, the number of first-team registration days is 100, but he participated in the 2019 Premier 12 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a national team member, so he has free agency compensation days. If he completes eight seasons through the 2024 season, he will qualify as a free agent. There are two years left.

He can challenge the major leagues as a free agent in 2025 at the earliest. At the age of 27, he has a chance to step into the big leagues when his physical abilities are at their peak. Ko Woo-suk turned down LG’s offer because he prioritized the major league challenge over the stability of his eight-year long-term contract.토토사이트

Ko Woo-seok appeared in 61 games (60⅔ innings) this year and recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, 42 saves, and an ERA of 1.48. He won the save title and was recognized as the league’s top finishing pitcher.

Ko Woo-seok set the record for 40 saves, the youngest in KBO League history (24 years, 1 month, 21 days), and achieved 40 saves in a season for the 8th time in KBO League history. He is the 5th as a player. In addition, Ko Woo-seok’s 42 saves is the most saves in LG franchise history. Previously, Lee Sang-hoon (37 saves) in 1997 and Bong Joong-geun (38 saves) in 2013 failed to reach 40 saves.