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Samsung Lions Face Crucial Decision: Securing Ace Won Tae-in with a Landmark Contract
Teh Samsung Lions are poised to make a pivotal decision this offseason regarding the future of their star pitcher, Won Tae-in, as negotiations for a multi-year contract extension intensify. The 25-year-old right-hander has established himself as the most valuable starting pitcher in Korean professional baseball, prompting the Lions to prioritize his retention despite looming financial constraints and the complexities of the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) competitive balance tax.
Won Tae-in’s ascent has been remarkable since being drafted by Samsung in the first round in 2019. He has consistently delivered on the mound, compiling a record of 187 games (180 starts), 1,052 innings pitched, 68 wins, 50 losses, 2 holds, and a 3.77 ERA. His durability is particularly noteworthy,having recorded four double-digit win seasons and achieving regulation innings for six consecutive years – a testament to his reliability and endurance. he currently holds the franchise record for most wins and innings pitched by a native pitcher as 2019.
adding to his accolades, won Tae-in earned a special military service exemption by securing a gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou asian Games, further solidifying his status as a national sporting hero. He will become eligible for free agency after the 2026 season, making this contract negotiation particularly critical for the Lions.
Samsung has already demonstrated its commitment to bolstering the roster this offseason, notably signing Choi Hyeong-woo, dubbed a “championship contractor,” and successfully re-signing key pitchers Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Seung-hyeon, and Kang Min-ho. Though,retaining Won Tae-in represents a different order of magnitude. “How much should I start with Wontaein?” a senior official reportedly questioned, highlighting the challenge of accurately valuing a player of his caliber.
the Lions are keenly aware of the precedent set by recent contracts. Lotte Park Se-woong signed a five-year, 9 billion won deal in 2022, while NC Koo Chang-mo secured a 6+1 year contract worth up to 13.2 billion won after the 2023 season. Though, officials believe Won Tae-in’s superior performance warrants a substantially higher valuation, with predictions starting “at least 15 billion won.”
A major hurdle for Samsung is navigating the KBO’s competitive balance tax. The team was already ranked first among the 10 clubs with a total payroll of 13.27 billion won for their top 40 players,just 504.65 million won below the upper limit of 13,711.65 million won. The recent acquisitions and potential salary increases could push them over the threshold.
Fortunately, the KBO recently introduced an “exceptional player system” designed to incentivize teams to retain franchise stars. This system allows clubs to exclude 50% of one designated player’s annual salary from the competitive balance tax calculation, provided the player has been registered for more than seven seasons.Won Tae-in meets these criteria, providing Samsung with a strategic advantage in structuring a lucrative deal.
The introduction of this system, coupled with the departures of high-salary players Oh Seung-hwan and Park Byeong-ho, has created financial flexibility for the Lions. The question now becomes: what is the true value of a “permanent blue blood transfusion” – a player who can
