The 16th (Korean time) is the deadline for negotiating salary adjustments for major league (MLB) players. According to ESPN, a total of 13 applicants for salary adjustment, including Choi Mann, Otani Shohei (LA Angels), Walker Buller (LA Dodgers), came out.
Previously, most players, including Francisco Lindor (New York Mets), agreed to renew their contracts with the club, but some did not. One of them is Choi Ji-man.
Choi only asked for $2.45 million, but Tampa Bay’s offer was only $1.85 million. There was a difference of $600,000. Last year, only Choi’s annual salary was 850,000 dollars.
Choi Ji-man played an active part by shooting a decisive home run against Garrett Cole in the postseason last year, and was an atmosphere maker that held the clubhouse. However, considering that it was a shortened season for 60 games, batting average of 23 percent, 3 homers, 16 RBIs, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.741 may be disappointing. The persistent weakness against the left-handed pitcher was still there.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, the winner of the World Series, also disagreeed with Walker Buller, the next-generation ace. Buller offered $4.15 million and the club offered $3.3 million. Buller’s performance last season was 8 appearances and an average of 3.44 ERA in 36⅓ innings. However, in five games in the postseason, with an average ERA of 1.80, he made a good throw and led the team to the championship, showing the true value of the ace that succeeded Clayton Kershaw. It seems to be due to the atmosphere of Stove League, which is different from usual.
Shohei Otani asked for $3.3 million, but the team confronted it with $2.5 million. Otani has been devoted to hitting only after the first season with repeated surgeries, so there is a flurry about the ransom.
Carlos Correa (Houston Astros) showed the biggest difference from the club’s offer. Correa offered $12.75 million, but the club’s offer was only 9.75 million.
The 13 applicants for annual salary adjustment, including Choi Mann, will present the basis for their arguments at the mediation committee in February, and, according to the committee’s decision, determine the annual salary with the affiliated team. A total of 12 players applied for an annual salary adjustment last year, and 5 players won.
Reporter Kim Young-rok lunarfly@sportschosun.com