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Outfielder Na Ji-wan, seen here in a file photo, has re-signed with the Kia Tigers, the club announced Sunday. The Korean Series hero will earn 100 million won in 2010. / Korea Times File |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
He was the hero for the Kia Tigers when he hit a walkoff home run in Game 7 of the Korean Series and now Na Ji-wan is being rewarded with a raise.
The Gwangju-based team announced Sunday that it had re-signed the outfielder to a one-year contract worth 100 million won ($85,000) for next season, up from the 38 million won he made in 2009.
The 24-year-old, who debuted in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2008, batted .263 with 23 home runs and 73 RBIs this past season.
But Na will be most remembered for his solo home run in the deciding game of the Korean Series against the SK Wyverns on Oct. 24. The blast clinched the Tigers' long-awaited 10th KBO championship and first since 1997.
"After winning the title, I started my training later than last year because of a busy schedule,'' said Na, who has been working with six of his Tigers' teammates, including Kim Sang-hyun and Choi Hee-seop, in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province.
"But my training will be more intense, because I want to play up to expectations next year."
The Tigers negotiations with Kim and Choi, however, are still deadlocked.
The team has reportedly upped their offers to the two big contributors to last year's championship team. The Tigers have tendered offers of 230 million won to Kim and 350 million won to Choi.
The Tigers, who have been the fastest in completing deals in the offseason, have already re-signed 47 of their 56 players, but the last nine could take some time.
They include key players and veterans such as pitchers Yoo Dong-hoon and Seo Jae-weong, as well as Lee Jong-beom and Lee Hyun-gon.
Meanwhile, the Doosan Bears are also having difficulty coming to a new agreement with outfielder Kim Hyun-soo, the game's best contact hitter.
Kim received 126 million won last season, a 200-percent raise over the 42 million he made in 2008. Now the 21-year-old third-year pro wants another 200-percent hike to 378 million won.
The Seoul-based team has countered with an offer of 252 million won.
Kim played in all 126 games in 2008, notching 168 hits, nine home runs and 89 RIBs, with a batting average of .357. In 2009, he again bat .357, but upped his totals to 172 hits, 23 home runs and 104 RBIs.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
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