By Cho Mu-hyun
With preliminary negotiations between free agents and their former Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs ending Saturday, any unsigned players will be there for the taking by pursuing teams from Sunday.
Several high-profile names are predicted to be available, as this week saw few successful talks between free agents and their previous teams.
Jun Jae-hoon was the first free agent to agree to a new deal this year, landing a 2.8 billion won four-year contract to resign with the Doosan Bears Tuesday, setting the bar high.
The Samsung Lions secured the services of Shin Myung-chul for a further two years Friday with a 450 million won contract, and is now after former player Lee Seung-yeop
On the mound, the two top sought-after players will be “Big” Lee Seung-ho and Chong Tae-hyon, formerly with the SK Wyverns. Lee is the best left-handed reliever in the league, a position the Bears are lacking in and looking to fill.
Despite his stated intention to pursue a Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Chong Tae-hyon, known as a late game saver will likely be approached by the Kia Tigers, Lotte Giants and LG Twins.
The Twins are having the most difficult time: negotiations with former players Cho In-sung, Song Shin-young and Lee Sang-lyul have all failed, and they will most likely look for better offers.
Lee Dae-ho ended his second round of talks with the Lotte Giants, which took place in a Busan restaurant Thursday, and was reportedly offered an 8 billion won deal over four years.
Giants fans are waiting with bated breath for the slugger’s answer, as he said he needed time to consider the offer before giving his reply. If the third and final negotiations to take place Saturday fail, the 29-year-old will look to the highest bidder.
“Little” Lee Seung-ho, formerly of the SK Wyverns, whose talks also ends Saturday, is highly sought out by outfits lacking capable pitchers.
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