"A 400% dramatic increase." It was easier?Why did KIA disclose only Kim Do-young's salary
"A 400% dramatic increase." It was easier?Why did KIA disclose only Kim Do-young's salary
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Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers), who received as much attention as the FA contract, has finally been revealed for the 2025 season. He is ready to surpass the reputation of Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants), a "record-breaking salary maker," by instantly surpassing 500 million won in annual salary.
KIA concluded the renewal negotiations with infielder Kim Do-young on the 21st with the highest salary in his fourth year. Kim Do-young completed the contract at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on the 20th for 500 million won, an increase of 400 million won from last season's 100 million won. This is the highest annual salary in the fourth year of the KBO League, exceeding 110 million won from the previous fourth year's annual salary of Kiwoom Heroes Lee Jung-hoo in 2020.
KIA said, "In addition, the annual salary was raised by 400%, recording the highest increase rate in the team (formerly Yang Hyun-jong 120 million won → 400 million won in 2015, Choi Ji-min 30 million won → 100 million won in 2024, and 233.3% above). Excluding the multi-year contract with FA, it will be the second-highest increase in KBO league history after Ha Jae-hoon (35, SSG Landers)' 455.6% (27 million won → 150 million won) in 2020."
It was a range of impressions that would remain in KBO history, but there was no emotional fight or noise between the club and the players. The club set a policy to treat MVP hitters last year. It is true that Kim Do-young's annual salary was 100 million won last year, so it was difficult to exceed 500 million won if the annual salary was set only by the high school system, but the club gave 500 million won to the regular season MVP and the Korean Series championship. Kim Do-young also chose to trust the club and wait rather than be greedy to take the lead at the salary negotiation table first. Due to the large increase, the negotiation table was set up the latest, but rather an agreement was reached easily.
Kia even took a photo of Kim's renewal of contract with Kim Do-young, showing how much effort the team has put into this annual salary negotiation. In addition, at a time when the Kia has yet to complete the contract with all those negotiating with Kim, it only informed the results of the annual salary negotiation with Kim Do-young so that the team could be in the spotlight alone. It felt like an FA contract. It was also unusual for a player's annual salary increase to be paid so much attention that the team also seems to have chosen an unusual method.
After completing the contract, Kim Do-young said through the club, "I'm really happy because I feel like I've been rewarded for my hard work. I'm really grateful that the team offered me a good amount."
It was last year's performance that made me understand 500 million won in annual salary. Kim Do-young had his best year, winning the regular season MVP and the Golden Glove in the third baseman category, with a batting average of 0.347 (189 hits in 544 at-bats), 38 homers, 109 RBIs, 143 points, 40 steals, and OPS 1.067 in 141 games last season. He poured out a variety of great records, including the first monthly 10 home runs-10 steals in the KBO League, the youngest minimum game 30 home runs-30 steals, and the least at-bat natural cycling hit, and also got his first Korean Series championship ring by recording four hits, one home run, three runs and five RBIs in the Korean Series.
KIA watched with great pleasure last season when the "five-tool player" prospect broke his eggs and grew into the team's leading hitter. It is true that Kim Do-young did not meet expectations immediately after graduating from Gwangju Dongseong High School and joining KIA as the first nomination in 2022, but he completely shook off the disappointment of his debut season, which was far from the rookie competition, in three years, and became the third baseman representing Korea by peaking in the KBO League. U.S. Major League clubs are already collecting data by closely watching Kim Do-young.
Reflecting on 2024, Kim said, "It has been a tremendous year. It has been an unforgettable year for me while playing baseball. The most memorable moment was when I won the regular season championship. I had never won a championship, so I felt that emotion at that time, which was both happy and strange. The year 2024 is the beginning for me. I will start my baseball career from last year and show you how I continue to grow."
Kia happily concluded negotiations with Kim with a smile, but did not receive all the players' stamps. It postponed negotiations with high-paid players including Kim Do-young to a lower priority, but failed to complete agreements with some players. This is another reason why it had to announce the results of negotiations with Kim alone.
Kia will depart for Irvine, the U.S., the site of its first spring camp, on Saturday and Sunday. Coach Lee Bum-ho, coaches and players will be Choi Hyung-woo and Yang Hyeon-jong, Kim Tae-gun, Park Min, Yoon Young-cheol, Hwang Dong-ha and Kwak Do-gyu. The remaining 26 players, including Kim Do-young, Na Sung-bum, Kim Sun-bin, Park Chan-ho and Choi Won-joon, will board a plane on Sunday.
Kia has set Tuesday as the deadline for salary negotiations. The team will conclude negotiations with all the players by Tuesday, and both the front desk and the players will leave for Irvine in an effortless manner. If the pain and suffering between the two players is prolonged, it could have a negative impact on the camp, and hence the team is committed to getting all the stamps by Tuesday.
It is true that Kim Do-young received a lot of spotlight, but KIA has as many players as Kim Do-young is curious about this year's salary. Park Chan-ho, Choi Won-joon, and Cho Sang-woo, a prospective FA, are representative.
Park Chan-ho, the main shortstop, is classified as a defensive player as Kia has elevated him to FAA level. Park won his first career Golden Glove in shortstop category with a batting average of 0.307 (158 hits in 515 times at bat), 20 steals, 61 RBIs, 86 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.749, in 134 games last year. In addition, Park won the shortstop's defense award for the second consecutive year, and was recognized for his performance in offense and defense. His annual salary last year was 300 million won. Given sufficient reason for the increase, he could earn more than 400 million won, and if lucky, more than 500 million won. 먹튀검증
As Choi Won-joon and Cho Sang-woo are also prospective free agents, they can expect a salary increase. Last year, Choi Won-joon received an annual salary of 220 million won and Cho Sang-woo received an annual salary of 340 million won. Cho moved from the Kiwoom Heroes to Kia in a surprise trade last month, and salary negotiations are with Kia. After suffering shoulder injury last year, Cho only played 44 games, six saves, nine holds, 39 ⅔ innings, and an earned run average of 3.18, but many predict that his salary will rise considering the FA grade. Attention is also focusing on how much Cho's salary increase will be.