NC FA’s mission is to ‘find the right line’, including ‘special foreigners + internal crackdown’ “A situation that cannot be overdone” (SS Focus)

Sports | baseball

(Sports Seoul | Reporter Kim Min-gyu) “It is burdensome to do so boldly, and I hope an agreement can be reached within an appropriate range.”

It wasn’t as good as fall baseball. They maintained their top ranking, but lost strength due to injuries to key players. Finally, at the end of the season, they even brought out the ‘resignation of the head coach’ card to reform the atmosphere, but they finished in ‘9th place’. This is about NC, which was said to be the ‘dark horse’ this year. A big task has occurred in NC as it prepares for next year’s season. In addition to the foreign players who performed best this year, there are also internal free agents. The mission is to ‘find the right line’ for a good agreement.

Above all, internal control is important. At the end of this season, key bullpen players Lee Yong-chan (35), Lim Jeong-ho (34), and outfielder Kim Seong-wook (31) qualified as free agents.

NC general manager Lim Seon-nam said, “We are talking internally with the three players. All three players are trying to communicate in a positive direction, but on the other hand, I don’t think we can push ourselves too hard. “I think it would be good if we can reach an agreement within an appropriate range,” he said. “It is difficult for us to overpay right now.” “I hope we can reach an agreement within an appropriate range,” he confessed.

All three players are key players. Moreover, considering that modern baseball is moving towards bullpen games, it is clear that Lee Yong-chan and Lim Jeong-ho are willing to go together as they are essential resources.

Lee Yong-chan has played an outstanding role as a closing pitcher in NC. This season, he also played a setup role instead of a ‘closer’. This year, he appeared in 57 games and recorded 3 wins, 9 losses, 16 holds, 2 saves, and an ERA of 6.13. Additionally, Lim Jeong-ho is a necessary resource for the team as a left-handed bullpen member. Lim Jeong-ho appeared in 65 games this season, recording 1 win, 6 losses, 9 holds, 2 saves, and an ERA of 4.42.

Kim Seong-wook established himself as the starting center fielder this year. In 129 games this season, he recorded a batting average of 0.204, 17 home runs, and 60 RBIs. Recorded the most home runs and RBIs in a single season. However, there is some disappointment as the batting average stops at .200. Kim Seong-wook is evaluated as having stable defense and slugging ability. He is needed to strengthen NC’s outfield depth.

Director Lim said, “(Kim Seong-wook and Lim Jeong-ho) are players who have been with us since the team was founded. “This may not be an absolute standard, but we will make a proposal based on our appropriate line,” he said emphatically.

It’s not the end. There are also contract renewals for foreign pitcher Kyle Hart (32) and hitter Matt Davidson (33), who showed the best performance this year.

This season, Hart started 26 games and pitched 157 innings, going 13 wins, 3 losses, 182 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.69. Even when NC had difficulties in starting selection, Hartman played his role well. Davidson is no slouch either. In 131 games this year, he had a batting average of 0.306, 46 home runs, 119 RBIs, and 90 runs. In particular, with 46 home runs, he became the first NC player to be crowned ‘home run king’ in 8 years since Eric Thames in 2016.

Director Lim said, “Both players have notified us of their intention to renew their contracts and negotiations are underway. “Because we have achieved results, we are considering a slightly higher salary increase than the initial salary contract,” he said. “Although no agreement has been reached yet, we are speaking positively.” “We are looking for a foreign pitcher to sign a new contract,” he explained. kmg@sportsseoul.com