“The success or failure of the postseason depends on the starting pitcher and center line.”
Hanwha, which recruited infielder Shim Woo-jun (29) in the free agent (FA) market, emphasized the importance of starting pitchers. Hanhwa, which is starting the new season in a new stadium, is being interpreted as a determination to look beyond the fall baseball season and begin reinforcing pitchers.
On the 7th, Hanwha announced that it had signed a four-year free agent contract worth up to 5 billion won with infielder Shim Woo-jun. Hanwha once again invested a large amount of money with a total of 4.2 billion won in guarantees and 800 million won in options. This is the third contract in the 2025 FA market and the first transfer contract. Shim Woo-jun joined KT as a second-round pick (No. 14 overall) in 2014 and debuted on the first team stage in 2015. He also proved his ‘health’ by participating in more than 100 games in all seasons except 2023 and the first half of 2024, when he played in the Armed Forces Athletic Corps. Woojun Shim’s career records are 1,072 games with a batting average of 0.254, 275 RBI, and 156 stolen bases (stealing success rate of 0.788). The reason why Shim Woo-jun was able to join Hanwha at a higher-than-expected price seems to be because there was competition in the market. Hanwha emphasized that it saw Woo-Jun Shim’s potential. Hanwha said, “With the addition of Shim Woo-jun, we have secured a stable shortstop with the quick feet and operational ability we want in the field.”
Shim Woo-jun said, “I am truly grateful to Hanwha for giving me a positive evaluation,” and added, “As I joined the Hanwha team as a free agent, I will take on greater responsibility and show a good performance on the field so that the team can achieve more victories.” He promised.
Hanwha, which has secured additional infield resources, is in a situation where it needs to organize itself. Lee Do-yoon and Ha Joo-seok have played shortstop for Hanwha in the 2024 season. Ha Joo-seok has applied for free agency. A Hanwha official said, “There is nothing worth revealing to the outside world about Ha Joo-seok’s contract.”
Hanwha, which has recruited an infielder, is also looking to recruit a pitcher. In the 2025 FA market, up to two external free agents can be recruited.
A Hanwha official explained, “For a strong team to win, especially in fall baseball, the center line and starting pitcher are the most important,” adding, “This is because the starting lineup that the team expected did not work smoothly.”
Last season, Hanwha had a starting mound of Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Min-woo, and Moon Dong-ju, as well as two foreign players. The pitchers, including Nam Ji-min, Hwang Jun-seo, Lee Tae-yang, and Han Seung-hyuk, were evaluated as sufficient to support the team. However, Hanwha collapsed after Kim Min-woo created a hole in the starting lineup. Even during the fall baseball competition at the end of the season, Moon Dong-joo left and had to give up his dream.
Reporter Jeong Pil-jae [email protected]?
ⓒ Eyes to see the world, Segye Ilbo
2024-11-07 03:38:00